Dissecting the Brain, One Gene at a Time

Table of Contents

00:00 - Introduction

00:44 - Structure of the brain

03:45 - Developing new tools with synthetic biology

05:35 - Current methods of neuron stimulation

09:10 - New method: using light to control neurons

15:31 - Demonstration: neuron control in a mouse

17:07 - Controlling the dopamine system of a mouse

20:06 - Tracing genetic mutations to mental disease

21:50 - Molecular tools for studying mutations

29:29 - Using genome editors to repair mutations

33:54 - Applying genome editors outside of medicine

35:30 - Conclusion

36:30 - Q&A



Analyzing patterns of gene activity during brain development will surely transform scientists’ understanding of neuropsychiatric diseases. In his 2012 Midsummer Nights’ Science lecture, Feng Zhang discusses the invention of novel technologies for genome engineering, and for manipulating activities of different cell types, including neurons. Current applications of these techniques include molecular investigations of processes as diverse as motor function, the reward system, and sleep.


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