Genetic Tools
The Allen Institute for Brain Science creates biological tools for precision neuroscience experiments. We use these tools in our own experiments, and we make many of the tools available to the scientific community here.
Genetic tools are made available with intrinsic genetic information, characterization of how well they target specific cell types and brain regions, and direct links to 3rd party organizations where the tool can be procured.
Explore Genetic Tools
GENETIC TOOLS ATLAS
Find enhancer-adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) or mouse transgenes for precision targeting of brain cell types in your work.
TRANSGENIC MOUSE LINES
Browse driver and reporter mouse lines from the Allen Institute, available for your usage through The Jackson Laboratory.
VIRAL TOOLS
Learn about viruses the Allen Institute has developed and made available to target and label specific classes of neurons.
EMBRYONIC STEM CELL LINES
Choose a human embryonic stem cell lines to target selected genes, available for your usage through WiCell.
Related Resources
Tutorial
Finding AAVs for targeting Cholinergic cell populations in the striatum
Learn how to use the Genetic Tools Atlas to find genetic tools for your region of interest based on a step-by-step example for the striatum.
article
Engineered Viruses Make Neurons Glow and Treat Brain Disease
Learn about the impact of Allen Institute's genetic tools and the goals of the broader BRAIN Initiative