Using Viruses as Molecular Biology Tools: A Review of Viral Transneural Tracing

Authors

  • Jacqueline Watt McMaster University

Keywords:

Transneural tracers, Viruses, Neural circuits, Herpesvirus, Rabies virus

Abstract

Viruses have been around for thousands of years, mastering invasion and evasion techniques of their host organisms. With the rapid progression of technology, it is these unique characteristics that can now be taken advantage of for use in studying cells and how they function. The most notable development being the use of neurotrophic viruses as transneural tracers. Transneural tracing traditionally involves using compounds that are able to pass through synapses in order to visualize connectivity between functional neurons. Neurotrophic viruses have an innate ability to infect neurons and, specifically α-herpesvirus and rabies virus, transfer between synapses. This property along with their ability to self-amplify through replication in neurons makes these viruses highly advantageous over traditional methods of transneural tracing. With the recent advancement of genetic engineering, there is great potential to combine genetic modification and viral transneural tracing, thus enabling more in-depth studies. This review aims to outline the unique characteristics of α-herpesvirus and rabies virus that makes them good candidates for transneural tracers and examine the potential that genetic modification can open for neuroscience research.

Author Biography

Jacqueline Watt, McMaster University

School of Interdisciplinary Sciences, Integrated Science

Year IV

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Published

2017-08-04