Long-term editing of brain circuits using an engineered electrical synapse
Researchers have engineered an electrical synapse using connexin proteins from white perch fish to modulate mammalian brain circuits. This innovation allows for long-term integration and editing of neural circuits, enhancing communication between different cell types. The study demonstrates the potential for precision circuit editing in mammals, validated through experiments in worms and mice.
- ▪The engineered electrical synapse consists of connexin 34.7 and connexin 35 proteins.
- ▪This synapse can strengthen communication across neural circuits and modify behavior.
- ▪The research establishes a method called 'long-term integration of circuits using connexins' (LinCx) for precision editing.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Download PDF Article Open access Published: 13 May 2026 Long-term editing of brain circuits using an engineered electrical synapse Elizabeth Ransey1,2, Gwenaëlle E. Thomas1,3, Elias M. Wisdom ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-7549-41274, Agustin Almoril-Porras4, Ryan Bowman2, Elise Adamson1,5, Kathryn K. Walder-Christensen ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-6757-06981,2, Jesse A. White1,6, Dalton N. Hughes1,3, Hannah Schwennesen2, Caly Ferguson1,2, Kay M. Tye1,6, Stephen D. Mague1,2, Longgang Niu ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-7209-74367, Zhao-Wen Wang ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3574-85567, Daniel Colón-Ramos ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0223-77174,8, Rainbo Hultman9, Nenad Bursac ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-5688-60615 & …Kafui Dzirasa ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-4280-99941,2,3,5,10 Show authors Nature (2026)…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Nature.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Nature
