Why it’s Important

Mapping circuits is a critical first step towards understanding brain function and how it drives perception, information processing, and behavior. The trans-Tango tools developed in the Barnea lab are the first to allow neural circuits to be labelled in fruit flies. The Barnea lab has worked with two other teams to bring the model to zebrafish and is currently working to develop a similar technique in mice.

What it Does

The trans-Tango tools allow researchers to identify the connections between neurons – connections that run two ways. With trans-Tango, researchers label and study the cells that are downstream from the starter neurons, while they use retro-Tango to map connections in the other direction – the upstream neurons. Both trans-Tango and retro-Tango can be used not only for mapping but also for studying how these circuits influence how the brain works. 

Where it’s Used

The trans-Tango tools are used in dozens of science labs around the world and have been cited in hundreds of scientific papers.