Split GFP reconstituted: A dynamic synapse label
This new technique from Cori Bargmann’s lab is one of the neatest that I’ve seen in a while. The authors split GFP into two pieces, expressing one piece presynaptically and the other postsynaptically. This creates functional (ie. fluorescing) GFP only at sites of synaptic contact where the protein can reconstitute. They call the technique GFP Reconstitution Across Synaptic Partners (GRASP). Check out an example labeling here:
The neurons are expressing mCherry in the cytoplasm but GFP is expressed only at the site of synaptic contacts where the split GFP peptides can be reconstituted into a complete GFP fluorophore.
May 27th, 2008 at 10:17 am
[...] techniques. As many of you know, fluorescence microscopy is becoming increasingly important for many cool neuroscience techniques. But equally important in knowing how to properly image [...]
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:02 am
It is important to note that Bargmann’s lab did not engineer the split GFP. The engineered GFP used by Bargmann’s lab was obtained from Waldo’s team at Los Alamos. With that said, the application of Waldo’s work in this area is beautiful.