Establishment of novel techniques for manipulating mammalian fetuses at the molecular level

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Brain functions such as memory, lerning, and emotion, are based on neuronal networks connected among various neurons in specific regions. In order to elucidate molecular mechanisms of brain development, it is required to establish novel techniques to directly manipulate mammalian fetuses of the middle gestation and thereafter at molecular levels. This research project aimed to do the following subjects :1) Establishment of techniques for manipulating and maintaining mammalian fetuses at the middle gestation and thereafter2) Establishment of techniques for transplanting cells into the brain of mammalian fetuses at the middle gestation and thereafter3) Establishment of techniques for transferring exogenous genes into the brain of mammalian fetuses at the middle gestation and thereafterThe following results are obtained in the period supported by this grant :1) As a technique for manipulating and maintaining mammalian fetuses at the middle gestation and thereafter, we established ultrasound-guided in utero manipulation, thereby operated fetuses being able to survive and develop at the full term.2) As preliminary experiments for cell transplantation and gene transfer, we tried to inject dye solutions into the operated fetuses.