In vivo cell type-specific CRISPR gene editing for sleep research

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2018Source: Journal of Neuroscience MethodsAuthor(s): Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Luis de LeceaAbstractSleep is an innate behavior conserved in all animals and, in vertebrates, is regulated by neuronal circuits in the brain. The conventional techniques of forward and reverse genetics have enabled researchers to investigate the molecular mechanisms that regulate sleep and arousal. However, functional interrogation of genes in specific cell subtypes in the brain remains a challenge. Here, we review the background of newly developed gene-editing technologies using engineered CRISPR/Cas9 system and describe the application to interrogate gene functions within genetically-defined brain cell populations in sleep research.
Source: Journal of Neuroscience Methods - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research