Edward M. Callaway talks with
ScienceWatch.com and answers a few questions about
this month's Fast Moving Front in the field of Neuroscience
& Behavior.
Article: Genetic dissection of neural
circuits
Authors: Luo, L;
Callaway, EM;
Svoboda, K
Journal: NEURON, 57 (5): 634-660 MAR 13 2008
Addresses: Salk Inst Biol Studies, Syst Neurobiol Lab,
10010 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA.
Salk Inst Biol Studies, Syst Neurobiol Lab, La Jolla, CA
92037 USA.
Stanford Univ, Howard Hughes Med Inst, Dept Biol, Stanford,
CA 94305 USA.
Howard Hughes Med Inst, Ashburn, VA 20147 USA.
Why do you think your paper is highly
cited?
There have been numerous recent advances in techniques that are available
for the study of neural circuits. Many of these take advantage of recent
genetic technologies for targeting specific cell types. This has resulted
in a strong resurgence of interest in studying neural circuits both by
those who have used more traditional methods and also by those who know
genetics but are new to circuits.
This review helps both groups to bridge gaps that they might have in
practical knowledge of one or the other field. The review discusses
specific strategies for using the new tools, when they are most appropriate
to use, and their advantages and disadvantages relative to each other and
to more traditional methods.
Would you summarize the significance of your paper
in layman's terms?
This review provides a resource for those who are interested in learning
about new genetic tools that are available to the neuroscience community
and how they can be used.
Where do you see your research leading in the
future?
The authors of this review have all contributed to the development of new
genetic tools for the study of neural circuits and they will continue to
both develop and use such methods.
Edward M. Callaway
Professor
Systems Neurobiology Laboratories
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
La Jolla, CA, USA Web