Optical Uncaging of Neurotransmitters

神经递质的光学解禁

• 批准号: 472348-2015
• 负责人: Woodin, Melanie
• 金额: $ 8.65万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2014-01-01 至 2015-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=564725
• 关键词: Optical; Uncaging; Neurotransmitters

Synaptic inhibition is critical for the brain to function properly. My lab is focused on understanding the role of particular groups of neurons in generating this synaptic inhibition. We are preforming these experiments by combining powerful techniques; while making electrical recordings from neurons we stimulate or silence activity using the recently developed optogenetic and chemogenetic technologies. Optogenetics allows researchers to activate or silence genetically targeted neurons at the 'flick-of-a-switch'; the revolutionary power of this technique is what led to it being named the Nature Method of the Year (2010).

突触抑制对于大脑正常运作至关重要。我的实验室致力于了解特定神经元组在产生这种突触抑制中的作用。 我们正在通过结合强大的技术来进行这些实验；在对神经元进行电记录时，我们使用最近开发的光遗传学和化学遗传学技术来刺激或沉默活动。光遗传学使研究人员能够通过“按一下开关”激活或沉默基因靶向神经元；这项技术的革命性力量使其被评为年度自然方法（2010 年）。