AAV based Neuroanatomical Tracing and Circuit Cracking

We use the nanoject system to inject AAV at specific stereotaxic positions of known brain regions.  By using adeno-associated virus we can transfect fluorescent proteins into the long range projection cells (e.g., Pyramidal).  After transfection these cells will produce fluorescent proteins along the entire lengths of their axons revealing the underlying circuits that they form with other brain regions.  We use this feedback to determine electrode, cannula, and LED placement in other experiments.  By using AAV with fluorescent proteins of more than one color we can assess how different sensory motor regions integrate with one another in subcortical regions such as the striatum.