A serial multiplex immunogold labeling method for identifying peptidergic neurons in connectomes

摘要: In the nervous system, cells called neurons connect to each other form large “neural” networks. The most powerful method that is currently available for tracing and mapping connections between them electron microscopy. This requires slicing brain tissue into ultrathin sections, which are then imaged one by one. However, while microscopy provides highly detailed information about structure of neurons, it does not reveal molecules use communicate with other. To address this question, Shahidi et al. have developed a new approach ‘siGOLD’. Unlike previous approaches, siGOLD allows signal inside be labeled protein tags antibodies without compromising ability examine technique was using larvae marine worm Platynereis. A single larva sliced 5000 sections thin enough view under an microscope, 150 these were selected represent entire body. Because typically long thin, individual usually spanned multiple slices. identify applied antibody recognizes specific molecule subset gold particles, show up as black dots microscope. recognized present all along neuron, because extend over slices, possible trace labeling only small number Repeating process in different subsets slices bind allowed neural circuits mapped. future, al.’s could adapted study networks organisms such flies, fish mice.