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National Institute of Genetics

5 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Neuroscience

Ablation of a Neuronal Population Using a Two-photon Laser and Its Assessment Using Calcium Imaging and Behavioral Recording in Zebrafish Larvae

Akira Muto¹, Koichi Kawakami¹

¹Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies)

Here, we present a protocol to ablate a genetically labeled subpopulation of neurons by a two-photon laser from Zebrafish larvae.

Behavior

Measuring Active and Passive Tameness Separately in Mice

Hiromichi Nagayama^1,2, Yuki Matsumoto^1,2, Akira Tanave¹, Motoko Nihei¹, Tatsuhiko Goto³, Tsuyoshi Koide^1,2

¹Mouse Genomics Resource Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, ²Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), ³Research Center for Global Agromedicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine

Tameness in animals includes a reduction of avoidance responses to humans (passive tameness) and an increase in active approaches to humans (active tameness). Here, we describe detailed protocols for three behavioral tests (active tameness, passive tameness, and stay-on-hand tests) to separately measure the active and passive tameness of mice.

Neuroscience

In Vivo Two-photon Imaging of Cortical Neurons in Neonatal Mice

Hidenobu Mizuno^1,2,3, Shingo Nakazawa^2,3, Takuji Iwasato^2,3

¹International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, ²Division of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Genetics, ³Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies)

We present an in vivo two-photon imaging protocol for imaging the cerebral cortex of neonatal mice. This method is suitable for analyzing the developmental dynamics of cortical neurons, the molecular mechanisms that control the neuronal dynamics, and the changes in neuronal dynamics in disease models.

Environment

Microfocus X-ray CT (microCT) Imaging of Actinia equina (Cnidaria), Harmothoe sp. (Annelida), and Xenoturbella japonica (Xenacoelomorpha)

Akiteru Maeno¹, Hisanori Kohtsuka², Kensuke Takatani³, Hiroaki Nakano³

¹Mammalian Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, ²Misaki Marine Biological Station, The University of Tokyo, ³Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba

Here, protocols for performing microfocus X-ray computed tomography (microCT) imaging of three marine invertebrate animals are explained in detail. This study describes steps such as sample fixation, staining, mounting, scanning, image reconstruction, and data analyses. Suggestions on how the protocol can be adjusted for different samples are also provided.

Neuroscience

Optogenetic Phase Transition of TDP-43 in Spinal Motor Neurons of Zebrafish Larvae

Kazuhide Asakawa¹, Hiroshi Handa¹, Koichi Kawakami^2,3

¹Department of Chemical Biology, Tokyo Medical University, ²Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Genetics, ³Department of Genetics, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI)

We describe a protocol to induce phase transition of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) by light in the spinal motor neurons using zebrafish as a model.