Genetically engineered fluorescent voltage reporters.
Fluorescent membrane voltage indicators that enable optical imaging of neuronal circuit operations in the living mammalian brain are powerful tools for biology and particularly neuroscience. Classical voltage-sensitive dyes, typically low molecular-weight organic compounds, have been in widespread use for decades but are limited by issues related to optical noise, the lack of generally applicable procedures that enable staining of specific cell populations, and difficulties in performing imaging experiments over days and weeks. Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) represent a newer alternative that overcomes several of the limitations inherent to classical voltage-sensitive dyes. We critically review the fundamental concepts of this approach, the variety of available probes and their state of development.
Knöpfel lab for Neuronal Circuit Dynamics,  RIKEN Brain Science Institute , 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako City, Saitama, 351-0198 Japan.
Hiroki
H
Mutoh
Walther
W
Akemann
Thomas
T
Knöpfel
D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000379:methods*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D009488:Neurosciences; D056969:Voltage-Sensitive Dye Imaging / Q000379:methods*
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008164:Luminescent Proteins