Little strokes fill big oaks: a simple in vivo stain of brain cells.
High-resolution functional imaging of neural activity in vivo relies on appropriate labeling methods. In this issue of Neuron, Nagayama et al. introduce a simple procedure for staining subsets of neurons with organic calcium indicator dyes via local electroporation. Neuronal populations are sparsely labeled, preserving the ability to resolve calcium signals in dendrites and synaptic structures.
Helmchen
Fritjof
F
Department of Neurophysiology, Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland. helmchen@hifo.unizh.ch
Nevian
Thomas
T
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D002118:Calcium