Virus mediated gene transfer has become the preferred method of opsin expression in the field of optogenetics. There are many kinds of viruses, each with unique properties, which can be used to meet specific experimental needs. For example, precise cell targeting can be achieved by using different vectors to transduce the tendency of specific cell types.
By selecting opsin expression vectors with retrograde or anterograde transport ability, different anatomical inputs or outputs of specific regions can be identified and manipulated. Some vectors also have the ability to propagate between synaptically connected neurons, which has great potential for determining the structure function relationship in complex networks. Creative BioMart provides construction services for a variety of virus expression vectors. Clients who are interested in our services please feel free to click the links below for more information.
Considerations for Selection of Expression System →
Viruses are ideal vectors for transgene transmission because they naturally penetrate into host cells and effectively use natural transcription mechanisms to drive the expression of viral genes. Engineering vectors can be generated by replacing the viral genome with opsin expression coding sequences controlled by specific gene promoters. There are many virus expression systems, each with unique characteristics suitable for different experimental applications. Here, we provide the viruses most commonly used in optogenetic research, including lentivirus, adeno-associated virus (AAV), canine adenovirus, herpes simplex virus and rabies virus.
| Viral size | Viral family | Allows retrograde labeling | Host genome integration | Max transgene capacity | Cross synapses | Bio-safety level | |
| Lentivirus | 100 nm | Retrovirus | No (for VSVg pseudotyped) | Yes | 9 kb | No | BSL2 |
| AVV | 22 nm | Parvovirus | Some serotypes (e.g., AAV6, 9) | No | 4.5 kb | No | BSL2 |
| Canine adenovirus | ~90 nm | Adenovirus | Yes | No | 30-36 kb | No | BSL2 |
| Herpes simplex virus | ~200 nm | Herpesvirus | Yes | No | 100-150 kb | No | BSL2 |
| Rabies virus | 75×180 nm | Rhabdovirus | Yes (strongly) | No | 1-2 kb | No | BSL2 |
Several methods can be used to introduce opsin into living cells, including DNA transfection, electroporation and transgenic expression system. However, virus mediated gene delivery and expression provides a superior ability to flexibly target any brain region in various wild-type or transgenic models. The resulting wave of research across many neurobiological disciplines is rapidly accelerating our understanding of the nervous system.
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