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Viruses Can Map How Amphibious Brains Are Wired

Using genetically engineered viruses, researchers can trace the development of frog and salamander nervous systems.

Laura Tran, PhD
Laura Tran, PhD
| 2 min read

Amphibians have long intrigued scientists with their metamorphosis and limb regeneration, but studying the evolution of their nervous system is challenging. Recently, researchers from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria and Columbia University developed a screening method using engineered adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) to track neural circuits through metamorphosis.1 This approach could aid in amphibian development studies.


Image of adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) being injected into tadpoles and larvae. The amount of green fluorescent protein is measured in brain sections and the selected AAVs are injected and tracked in juvenile and adult frogs and salamanders.


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  1. Jaeger ECB, et al. Dev Cell. 2024.