New approaches to link cell type, function, and wiring in the brain

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K14336
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Nerve anatomy/Neuropathology
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Imai Takeshi 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 多細胞システム形成研究センター, チームリーダー (70509851)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 蛍光イメージング / 神経回路 / コネクトーム / 透明化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To understand functional dynamics of the brain, it is important to analyze neuronal connectivity function in the same animals. In this study, we developed a method to stain thick brain tissues with antibodies and examine connectivity after tissue clearing. We found that high concentration of saponin solution facilitates antibody staining deep inside. We also developed a new tissue clearing agent that minimized spherical aberrations. Using this strategy, we established high-resolution fluorescence imaging of thick tissues.

Free Research Field

神経科学