Columbia Technology Ventures

Reproducible Single-Cell Color Map of the C. elegans Nervous System

This technology is a transgene that uses fluorescent proteins to generate a color map of every neuron in C. elegans without variability across individual organisms.

Unmet Need: High-resolution invariant labeling system of single neurons in vivo

Fluorescent proteins are widely used to color-label different cell types in vivo when studying cellular architecture and function. Even in ideal model organisms such as the C. elegans nematode, neurons are challenging to label because they are densely packed and genetically diverse. Current single-neuron labeling methods generate random colors within each neuron, creating problematic variability across organisms. Efforts to develop an invariant color map have only labeled <60% of all C. elegans neurons due to a lack of spatial resolution.

The Technology: Transgene generating an invariant color label for every neuron in C. elegans

This transgene, called NeuroPAL (a neuronal polychromatic atlas of landmarks), generates an invariant color map of the entire C. elegans nervous system using 41 neuron-specific reporter genes expressing up to five fluorescent proteins. In C. elegans strains transfected with NeuroPAL, each neuron can be identified in vivo by its color and position. The color map does not change across organisms and is compatible as a background for popular fluorescent proteins.

NeuroPAL’s utility has been demonstrated in several in vivo experiments, enabling improved analysis of gene expression patterns, mutant gene effects, and whole-brain neuronal activity.

Applications:

  • Research model for studying nervous system genetics, development, and function
  • Platform for developing therapeutics targeting the nervous system
  • Framework for developing single-cell color-labeling platforms in other organ systems and model organisms

Advantages:

  • Invariant across individual organisms
  • Color codes the entire C. elegans nervous system
  • Compatible with the use of popular fluorescent protein colors
  • Research platform with a wide variety of applications
  • Open-source software package available to support analysis
  • Transgene able to be widely distributed

Lead Inventor:

Eviatar Yemini, Ph.D.

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