Journal
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY
Volume 50, Issue -, Pages 109-118Publisher
CURRENT BIOLOGY LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2018.02.003
Keywords
-
Categories
Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [31771196, 31471037, 91432106, 81428010]
- Shanghai Science and Technology Commission Innovation Fund [17JC1401500]
- Shanghai Rising-Star Program
- National Institute of Health [U19MH114823-01, 5R01MH109665-02, 5R01MH101268-05]
- Robertson Neuroscience Fund of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Understanding brain circuit organization and function requires systematic dissection of its cellular components. With vast cell number and diversity, mammalian nervous systems present a daunting challenge for achieving specific and comprehensive cell type access - prerequisite to circuit analysis. Genetic approaches in the mouse have relied on germline engineering to access marker-defined cell populations. Combinatorial strategies that engage marker intersection, anatomy and projection pattern (e.g. antero-grade and retro-grade viral vectors), and developmental lineage substantially increase the specificity of cell type targeting. While increasing number of mouse cell types are becoming experimentally accessible, comprehensive coverage requires larger coordinated efforts with strategic infrastructural and fiscal planning. CRISPR-based genome editing may enable cell type access in other species, but issues of time, cost and ethics remain, especially for primates. Novel approaches that bypass the germline, such as somatic cell engineering and cell surface-based gene delivery, may reduce the barrier of genetic access to mammalian cell types.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available