Inducible and combinatorial gene manipulation in mouse brain

Abstract

We have deployed recombinant adeno-associated viruses equipped with tetracyclinecontrolled genetic switches to manipulate gene expression in mouse brain. Here, we show a combinatorial genetic approach for inducible, cell type-specific gene expression and Cre/loxP mediated gene recombination in different brain regions. Our chemicalgenetic approach will help to investigate ‘when’, ‘where’, and ‘how’ gene(s) control neuronal circuit dynamics, and organize, for example, sensory signal processing, learning and memory, and behavior.