A platform to characterize neuronal morphology diversity in mouse brain, combining genetic sparse labeling, whole-brain fMOST imaging, and single-neuron reconstruction. Labeled neurons are imaged and reconstructed across the entire brain, then registered to the Allen CCFv3 for integrated analysis with other datasets.
To characterize the diversity of neuronal morphologies, including distal axonal projection patterns in mouse, we established a platform with five major components: genetic sparse labeling, whole-brain imaging, single neuron reconstruction, CCF registration, and analysis. We achieve sparse, robust and consistent fluorescent labeling of a wide range of neuronal types by combining transgenic or viral Cre delivery with novel transgenic reporter lines. Then, sparse, fluorescently labeled neurons are imaged at high-resolution across the whole mouse brain using fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography (fMOST). Next, whole brain fMOST images are used to generate detailed morphological reconstructions that can span the entire brain. Whole brain images and reconstructions are then registered to the Allen CCFv3 for further analysis and integration with other CCF-registered data sets such as the Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas.
Publications:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03941-1
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.11.25.568393v1
License: Allen Institute Terms of Use
Funding Support
1U19MH114830-01
1U01NS132267-01
5U01NS132267-02
