Methods in Brief |
Featured
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Research Highlights |
Lighting the cellular fuel gauge
A genetically encoded sensor of ATP:ADP ratio reveals the energy status of living mammalian cells.
- Erika Pastrana
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Article |
Brain-wide 3D imaging of neuronal activity in Caenorhabditis elegans with sculpted light
This work describes wide-field temporal focusing, a two-photon volumetric imaging technique based on light sculpting that enables functional imaging of the majority of neurons in the head ganglia of C. elegans with high temporal and spatial resolution.
- Tina Schrödel
- , Robert Prevedel
- & Alipasha Vaziri
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Tools in Brief |
Synapses under the spotlight
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Commentary |
Why not connectomics?
Opinions diverge on whether mapping the synaptic connectivity of the brain is a good idea. Here we argue that albeit their limitations, such maps will reveal essential characteristics of neural circuits that would otherwise be inaccessible.
- Joshua L Morgan
- & Jeff W Lichtman
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Resource |
Improved tools for the Brainbow toolbox
An improved Brainbow toolbox for expression in the mouse is presented in this Resource. The collection includes transgenic lines, plasmids and viral vectors with improved performance and added capabilities relative to the original Brainbow constructs.
- Dawen Cai
- , Kimberly B Cohen
- & Joshua R Sanes
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Brief Communication |
Two-photon optogenetics of dendritic spines and neural circuits
Using the red shifted opsin C1V1T and simple raster-scanning illumination, this work shows two-photon optogenetic stimulation of single cells, dendrites and spines. The method is also applied to map synaptic circuits in mouse brain slices and, using holographic photostimulation, for the simultaneous activation of two neurons located in different planes. Also online, Prakash et al. present a collection of opsins for two-photon excitation, inhibition and bistable control of neuronal activity in vitro and in vivo.
- Adam M Packer
- , Darcy S Peterka
- & Rafael Yuste
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Resource |
Two-photon optogenetic toolbox for fast inhibition, excitation and bistable modulation
A collection of opsins for two-photon modulation of neuronal activity in vitro and in vivo is presented in this resource. The opsins have kinetic, expression and spectral properties ideally suited to typical raster-scanning two-photon microscopy. Also online, Packer et al. use the red-shifted opsin C1V1T and simple raster-scanning illumination to stimulate individual spines and dendrites and map synaptic circuits.
- Rohit Prakash
- , Ofer Yizhar
- & Karl Deisseroth
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Analysis |
Principles for applying optogenetic tools derived from direct comparative analysis of microbial opsins
In this Analysis, the authors directly experimentally compare microbial opsins used for the control of neural activity. They extract essential principles and key parameters that can help end users with the design and interpretation of optogenetic experiments and guide tool developers in the characterization of future tools.
- Joanna Mattis
- , Kay M Tye
- & Karl Deisseroth
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News & Views |
The Lego-logic of optogenetics
Daisy-chaining light-sensitive ion channels, pumps and fluorescent proteins extends the possibilities for control of neuronal activity.
- Thomas G Oertner
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Article |
Optical recording of action potentials in mammalian neurons using a microbial rhodopsin
The microbial rhodopsin protein, Archaerhodopsin 3, can function as a rapid and highly sensitive genetically encoded voltage indicator in mammalian cells that is capable of detecting single action potentials with a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 10. A mutant lacking proton pumping displays greater sensitivity but a slowed response.
- Joel M Kralj
- , Adam D Douglass
- & Adam E Cohen
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Article |
A gene-fusion strategy for stoichiometric and co-localized expression of light-gated membrane proteins
Molecular engineering allows stoichiometric and co-localized expression of two optogenetic actuators, spaced by a fluorescent protein and an additional transmembrane helix in a single protein fusion. The method provides modular optogenetic tools for bidirectional membrane potential control or synergistic effects on neuronal activity.
- Sonja Kleinlogel
- , Ulrich Terpitz
- & Ernst Bamberg
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Research Highlights |
Molecular matchmaking for neural control
Engineered ion channels and cognate synthetic ligands expand the catalog of tools to study brain function.
- Petya V Krasteva
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Resource |
Cell type–specific channelrhodopsin-2 transgenic mice for optogenetic dissection of neural circuitry function
A collection of functionally characterized BAC transgenic mouse lines in which the channelrhodopsin-2 H134R variant is specifically and stably expressed in GABAergic, cholinergic, serotonergic or parvalbumin-positive neurons is reported.
- Shengli Zhao
- , Jonathan T Ting
- & Guoping Feng
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Commentary |
From cudgel to scalpel: toward precise neural control with optogenetics
Optogenetics is routinely used to activate and inactivate genetically defined neuronal populations in vivo. A second optogenetic revolution will occur when spatially distributed and sparse neural assemblies can be precisely manipulated in behaving animals.
- Simon Peron
- & Karel Svoboda
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Research Highlights |
Reading cells from within
A nanoscale field-effect transistor with a three-dimensional probe-presentation design can record intracellular potentials from single cells.
- Erika Pastrana
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This Month |
Thomas Knöpfel
Linked fluorescent proteins are used to visualize voltage in living mouse brains.
- Monya Baker
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Research Highlights |
The mobile microscope
A miniature head-mounted two-photon microscope small enough for a rat to carry allows researchers to visualize neuronal signaling while the animal freely interacts with its environment.
- Daniel Evanko
