Conditional Gene Expression and Targeting in Neuroscience Research

AbstractRecently developed techniques for spatially and temporally controlled genetic manipulations based on regulated homologous recombination and/or transcription are extensively used in brain research. In addition to being important for testing the role of specific proteins in the central nervous system, these techniques allow analysis of brain functions at the neuronal circuit level. This overview discusses principles of conditional inactivation and expression of genes, and their specific applications to studies of the mammalian brain. Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 44:4.31.1‐4.31.10. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.