AAV Biosensors

Understanding how neuronal activity patterns in the brain correlate with complex behavior is one of the primary goals of modern neuroscience. Chemical transmission is the main way of communication between neurons, however, traditional methods of detection of neurotransmitter and neuromodulator transients in the mammalian brain lack spatiotemporal precision. Modern fluorescent biosensors for neurotransmitters and neuromodulators allow monitoring chemical transmission with millisecond precision in vivo and single cell resolution. Changes in the fluorescent biosensor brightness occur upon neurotransmitter binding and can be detected using fiber photometry, stationary microscopy and miniaturized head-mounted microscopes.

Biosensors are genetically engineered fluorescent proteins (FP) attached to an additional protein sequence that makes them sensitive to small biomolecules or other physiological intracellular processes. These biosensors are introduced to cells, tissues or organisms to detect changes by spectrum changes or fluorescent microscopy. Many biosensors allow long-term imaging and can be engineered to specifically target cellular compartments or organelles. Besides, biosensors allow signaling pathway exploration or permit the measurement of a biomolecule. They do all this while preserving both spatial and temporal cellular processes.

Figure 1. Delivery of biosensors to the animal brain using AAV particles.

Viral vectors allow temporal and spatial controlled expression of genes of interest (GOI) in vitro and in vivo. One such viral vector, the recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) has become a staple for gene delivery in different tissues and organs, including brain. Biosensors can be expressed in the animal brain using adeno-associated viral vectors, and their cell-specific expression can be achieved with Cre-recombinase expressing animals.

As a leader in adenoviral technology, Creative Biogene is proud to offer a range of calcium or glutamate biosensor products that come ready-to-use. Our AAV biosensors are ideal for a variety of applications, such as tracking neuronal dynamics. Our biosensors come with the choice of promoter (CMV or Syn), serotype (AAV8 or AAV9), and many have an optional DIO/FLEX system for Cre-inducible expression. Please click on any of the biosensor names below for a list of our available products.

Browse All AAV Biosensors