UCI researchers publish new guide for viral tracers in neural circuit mapping

Irvine, CA – August 4, 2020

Researchers from the newly-established Center for Neural Circuit Mapping at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine evaluate the properties of anterograde and retrograde viral tracers, comparing their strengths and limitations for use in neural circuit mapping. Results were published today as a primer in Neuron.

The article provides a comprehensive comparison of anterograde and retrograde viral and non-viral tracers for neural circuit analysis and describe neural circuit tracing history and background.  It also examines the specific viruses used for neuroscience research, and provides essential information to guide other researchers on their choice of viral tracers.

Viral tracers are important tools for neuroanatomical mapping and genetic payload delivery. Genetically modified viruses allow for cell-type specific targeting, and overcome many limitations of non-viral tracers.

“A central goal of modern neuroscience research is to understand the cell-type specific connections between different regions of the brain and the detailed circuit organization within them,” said lead author Xiangmin Xu, PhD, professor of anatomy and neurobiology, and director of the new Center for Neural Circuit Mapping. “Our primer evaluates currently applied anterograde and retrograde viral tracers and provides practical guidance on experimental uses, along with key technical and conceptual considerations for developing new safer and more effective anterograde trans-synaptic viral vectors for neural circuit analysis in multiple species.”

Naturally occurring viruses have been used for neural circuit tracing for decades by exploiting the natural properties of viral propagation and transmission.  Genetic modifications of such viruses have led to many improvements for neuroscience applications.  In addition to anatomical mapping, genetically modified viral tracers have greatly facilitated functional studies of cell-type specific and circuit-specific neural networks in the brain. 

Xu, along with other UCI School of Medicine investigators involved in the primer, including Rozanne Sandri-Goldin, PhD, chancellor’s professor and chair of microbiology and molecular genetics, Todd Holmes, PhD, professor and vice chair of physiology and biophysics, and Bert Semler, PhD, distinguished professor of microbiology and molecular genetics and director for the UCI Center for Virus Research, recently launched the Center for Neural Circuit Mapping (CNCM) at the UCI School of Medicine.  The CNCM focuses on neural circuit studies and new viral-genetic technology development. A critical component of the new center is the creation of a viral production facility to disseminate new molecular tools to the worldwide neuroscience community. 

“Using new genetic-viral tools, our main goal with the CNCM is to advance the study of neural circuits using animal models to define mechanisms and pathways that underlie neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders,” said Xu. “Understanding the brain’s neural circuitry is critical for successful translational progress in better treating these diseases.”

The primer article and the new Center for Neural Circuit Mapping are supported in part by the National Institutes of Health’s BRAIN Initiative, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation and the UCI School of Medicine.

About the UCI School of Medicine

Each year, the UCI School of Medicine educates more than 400 medical students and nearly 150 PhD and MS students. More than 700 residents and fellows are trained at the UCI Medical Center and affiliated institutions. Multiple MD, PhD and MS degrees are offered. Students are encouraged to pursue an expansive range of interests and options. For medical students, there are numerous concurrent dual degree programs, including an MD/MBA, MD/MPH, or an MD/MS degree through one of three mission-based programs: the Health Education to Advance Leaders in Integrative Medicine (HEAL-IM), the Program in Medical Education for Leadership Education to Advance Diversity-African, Black and Caribbean (PRIME LEAD-ABC), and the Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC). The UCI School of Medicine is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Accreditation and ranks among the top 50 nationwide for research. For more information, visit medschool.uci.edu.