We will use high throughput techniques to produce a set of viral vectors that will allow selective expression of transgenes in specific populations of neurons in the brain. Along with many other applications, this will allow optogenetic control, recording, and genomic modification of targeted neuronal populations without the need for production of transgenic or knock-out lines. This will provide neuroscience with a versatile and powerful set of tools that will make possible a broad set of new experimental designs that are likely to yield major insights into the organization of neuronal circuits and the biological bases of normal cognition and behavior and the dysfunctions underlying neurological and mental disorders. Additionally, because the new tools are also designed to work in humans, they are likely to result in important new therapies for mental and neurological diseases.

Public Health Relevance

We will produce reagents that will allow specific populations of neurons in the brain to be selectively targeted for expression of genes to allow their activity to be controlled and their genomes to be modified, along with many other applications. This will provide neuroscience with a versatile and powerful set of tools that will make possible a broad set of new experimental designs that are likely to quickly yield major insights into the organization of neuronal circuits and the biological bases of normal cognition and behavior and the dysfunctions underlying neurological and mental disorders. Furthermore, because the new tools are designed to also work in humans, they are likely to result in important new therapies for mental and neurological diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH111503-02
Application #
9349588
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMH1-ERB-L (04))
Program Officer
Freund, Michelle
Project Start
2016-09-09
Project End
2019-05-31
Budget Start
2017-06-01
Budget End
2018-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$984,588
Indirect Cost
$348,138
Name
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
001425594
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02142