Lief E. Fenno

A Chemigenetic Fluorescence Lifetime Biosensor for Dopamine Sensing

This paper introduces dHaloLife635, a chemigenetic fluorescence lifetime sensor for dopamine that shows selectivity and stability in live cells.

Ultrasound-activated drug release with extracellular vesicles

This paper develops ultrasound-responsive extracellular vesicles for targeted drug delivery to the nervous system, demonstrating controlled release and pain modulation in rats.

Neocortical long-range inhibition promotes cortical synchrony and sleep

This study identifies Sst-Chodl inhibitory neurons that promote cortical synchrony and sleep by exerting long-range inhibition during low-arousal states.

A Knock-in Ntsr1-Flp Driver Enables Intersectional and Systemic Targeting of Heterogeneous Midbrain Dopamine Circuits

The paper develops a knock-in Ntsr1-Flp mouse line for intersectional targeting of midbrain dopamine circuits and demonstrates its utility in distinguishing dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic neurons.

Cell-type targeted CRISPR/Cas9 Clock knockdown in mouse VTA dopamine neurons alter sleep, behavior, and cellular excitability

This study uses CRISPR/Cas9 to knock down Clock in mouse VTA dopamine neurons, revealing effects on sleep, behavior, and excitability linked to bipolar disorder.

Serotype-dependent differences in AAV cellular transduction rates in the hypothalamus of Arctic ground squirrels

The paper compares AAV serotype transduction rates in the hypothalamus of Arctic ground squirrels, finding AAV1 has higher transduction rates than AAV-DJ.

Selective Vulnerability of Dopamine-Glutamate Neurons in Aging Weakens Entorhinal Dopamine Signaling

The paper identifies selective vulnerability of dopamine-glutamate neurons in aging as a mechanism weakening entorhinal dopamine signaling.

Salience signaling and stimulus scaling of ventral tegmental area glutamate neuron subtypes

This study identifies how different subtypes of VTA glutamatergic neurons signal reward and aversion in distinct ways, highlighting unique roles in behavioral salience.

Hydrogen-bonded organic framework nanotransducers enabled sono-optogenetics for Parkinsonian rats

This paper develops a non-invasive optogenetics method using ultrasound-triggered nanotransducers to modulate Parkinsonian rats' neurons and improve movement dysfunction.

Monosynaptic inputs to ventral tegmental area glutamate and GABA co-transmitting neurons

This study identifies monosynaptic inputs to VTA VGluT2+VGaT+ neurons in mice, revealing diverse brain-wide connections and distinct behavioral outcomes from lateral hypothalamus and superior colliculus inputs.

Ribosome-Associated Vesicles promote activity-dependent local translation in neurons

The paper identifies Ribosome-Associated Vesicles (RAVs) as dynamic platforms that facilitate activity-dependent local translation in neurons by transporting ribosomes to distal processes.

Prefrontal cortical dynorphin peptidergic transmission constrains threat-driven behavioral and network states

The paper shows that vmPFC Dyn neurons suppress defensive behaviors by releasing dynorphin in response to threats and promoting fear-related network states.

Sexually dimorphic mechanisms of VGLUT-mediated protection from dopaminergic neurodegeneration

This study identifies VGLUT-mediated mechanisms protecting DA neurons from PD-related degeneration, revealing sex-specific effects and transcriptional regulators.

Unique functional responses differentially map onto genetic subtypes of dopamine neurons

The paper identifies three genetic dopamine subtypes in the substantia nigra pars compacta, each with distinct functional responses to rewards, aversive stimuli, and movement, showing strong correlation between soma and axon signaling within subtypes.

Dopaminergic axons track somatic signaling in behaving mice

The paper shows that somatic and axonal signaling in dopamine neurons of behaving mice are correlated, challenging previous assumptions about axonal autonomy.

Reciprocal lateral hypothalamic and raphe GABAergic projections promote wakefulness

This study identifies reciprocal GABAergic projections between the lateral hypothalamus and dorsal raphe nucleus that promote wakefulness through mutual inhibition and network activity modulation.

A molecular calcium integrator reveals a striatal cell-type driving aversion

The paper introduces FLiCRE, a molecular tool for tagging calcium-activated cells, and uses it to identify and manipulate a striatal cell-type involved in aversion behavior.

The central amygdala controls learning in the lateral amygdala

The paper identifies a specific class of central amygdala neurons that are essential for synaptic plasticity in the lateral amygdala during learning.