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Docket #: S10-195

Mouse Model for Visualizing Synapses

Researchers in Prof. Liqun Luo's laboratory have developed a mouse model system for in vivo, non-invasive, spatially- and temporally-controlled labeling of individual synapses. These mice (ZtTA and TRE-bi-ST-T) combined with different Cre/CreER lines could label specific types of neurons or single neurons with a general cell marker and a presynaptic or postsynaptic marker. The mice can be used to study synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and information flow in neural circuits.




A cerebellar stellate cell labeled with cytoplasmic tdT (red) and synapse-localized synaptophysin-GFP (green). This technology allows single cell resolution and manipulation in intact mice, and increased resolution to study neuronal connectivity.

Applications

  • In vivo studies of synapses, including:
    • presynaptic and postsynaptic distributions in any neuron in the mouse brain
    • development and plasticity in any neuron in the mouse brain
    • general gene expression of TRE (tetracycline regulatory element) transgenes with spatial and temporal control

Advantages

  • Low basal expression of TRE transgenes alone or in combination with one or both of the other transgenes without activation
  • Expression regulated with small molecules (tetracycline or doxycycline)
  • Noninvasive (unlike viral transduction or in utero electroporation)
  • Spatial and temporal control, including
    • control over the types of labeled cells
    • control of labeling frequency
    • control of synaptic marker expression to bypass potential developmental defects

Publications

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