Imaging analysis of neural circuit involved in voluntary behaviors in C. elegans

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25640004
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: Saitama University
• Principal Investigator: GENGYO-ANDO Keiko 埼玉大学, 理工学研究科, 特任教授 (40221741)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): NAKAI Junichi 埼玉大学, 理工学研究科, 教授 (80237198) ; OHKURA Masamichi 埼玉大学, 理工学研究科, 准教授 (70369172) ; HASHIMOTO Kouichi 東北大学, 情報科学研究科, 教授 (80228410)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: イメージング / G-CaMP / 線虫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Most Animals can initiate and regulate voluntary behaviors in the absence of external stimuli, but the mechanism underlying decision-making is largely unknown. To elucidate the molecular and neural mechanism of these behaviors, we focused on C. elegans, which have a simple brain consisting of only 302 neurons and transparent body. Using our recently developed G-CaMP6-8, green genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs), we developed a system that allowed systematic imaging and analysis of the neural activity during spontaneous locomotion. We further designed R-CaMP2, a high-affinity, fast, red GECI, and successfully achieved dual-color imaging and optical stimulation in combination with green GECIs and channelrhodopshin 2 in freely moving C. elegans.

Free Research Field

分子生物学