Qing Liu1,4 · Yang Wu2,4 · Huadong Wang1,4 · Fan Jia1,4 · Fuqiang Xu1,2,3,41 The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Viral Vector Technology in Cell and Gene Therapy Medicinal Products, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Quality Control Technology for Virus-Based Therapeutics, Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
2 State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
3 Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
4 University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Abstract
Neural circuits provide an anatomical basis for functional networks. Therefore, dissecting the structure of neural circuits is essential to understanding how the brain works. Recombinant neurotropic viruses are important tools for neural circuit tracing with many advantages over non-viral tracers: they allow for anterograde, retrograde, and trans-synaptic delivery of tracers in a cell type-specific, circuit-selective manner. In this review, we summarize the recent developments in the viral tools for neural circuit tracing, discuss the key principles of using viral tools in neuroscience research, and highlight innovations for developing and optimizing viral tools for neural circuit tracing across diverse animal species, including nonhuman primates.
Keywords
Neural circuit; Viral tool; Anterograde; Retrograde; Trans-synaptic
