GENIE =Genetically ENcoded Indicators and Effectors
Protein sensors are routinely used to image neuronal activity and they underlie many recent advances in cellular functional imaging. However, many sensors still have major limitations when used in vivo. The GENIE Project Team engineers and optimizes fluorescent sensors for imaging of cellular activity in the intact nervous system of experimental animals. We have developed sensors for calcium, voltage and different neurotransmitters.
This poster describes the GENIE screening process and updates to four sensors. Presented at the Society for Neuroscience meeting, October 7, 2024.
SCaMP: Red Calcium Sensor
New red calcium indicator based on mScarlet - the brightest of the mRFPs
Initial design work lead to a sensor with sensitivity and kinetics comparable to jRGECO.
Optimization in progress with 47 sites targeted for mutagenesis and ~5000 variants screened.
Next: top performing single mutations will be combined to test for further performance improvements