A novel high-throughput screening system for directed evolution of robust optical reporters of electrical activity in the brain

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Abstract/Contents

Abstract
Dynamic patterns of neuronal activity within intact neuronal circuits underly the astounding complexity of the brain. To decipher this code, we need tools that can monitor neuronal electrical activity with sufficient resolution in space and time, in awake behaving animals. Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) offer great potential in achieving this goal but require significant improvements before they can be routinely deployed in vivo. A major limitation to developing better voltage sensors has been a lack of high-throughput screening methods that can reproducibly induce a fast change in transmembrane potential of a cell. In my thesis work, I present the development of a new electroporation-based screening approach, and mutant library construction and expression methods that enabled functional testing of GEVI variants at unprecedented throughput. I further describe using the screening system and a mechanism-guided approach to improve ASAP-family voltage indicators by directed evolution. One of engineered variants, ASAP3, exhibits up to 51% fluorescence change in the physiological range, millisecond response kinetics, efficient membrane localization and full activity under two-photon illumination. Finally, I show imaging ASAP3 signals in the awake mammalian brain using volumetric kHz-rate random-access multiphoton microscopy. The improved responsivity of ASAP3 to voltage allowed imaging of oscillations and spikes in single cells in single trials, revealing correlations between neuronal activity and animal behavior.

Description

Type of resource text
Form electronic resource; remote; computer; online resource
Extent 1 online resource.
Place California
Place [Stanford, California]
Publisher [Stanford University]
Copyright date 2018; ©2018
Publication date 2018; 2018
Issuance monographic
Language English

Creators/Contributors

Author Chavarha, Mariya
Degree supervisor Lin, Michael
Thesis advisor Lin, Michael
Thesis advisor Baer, Thomas, 1945-
Thesis advisor Bryant, Zev David
Degree committee member Baer, Thomas, 1945-
Degree committee member Bryant, Zev David
Associated with Stanford University, Department of Bioengineering.

Subjects

Genre Theses
Genre Text

Bibliographic information

Statement of responsibility Mariya Chavarha.
Note Submitted to the Department of Bioengineering.
Thesis Thesis Ph.D. Stanford University 2018.
Location electronic resource

Access conditions

Copyright
© 2018 by Mariya Chavarha
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC).

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