Gene-expression changes in neurons active during contextual fear conditioning compared to controls left in the homecage

This experiment uses a transgenic mouse that allows for activity-induced expression of an HA-tagged ribosome in an inducible and cre-dependent manner. This allowed us to assess long-lasting gene-expression changes in neurons active during contextual fear conditioning. Previous studies have used similar systems to look a transient changes in gene expression in these neurons, but we developed a system to look at long lasting changes. The workflow includes tissue dissection of the prefrontal cortex, tissue homogenization followed by an immunoprecipitation of the tagged ribosomes using antibodies against HA. RNA bound to the ribosomes is then purified, a cDNA library is prepared and RNAseq was performed. The experimental group was fear conditioned and the control group was left in their homecage for induction of HA- expression in active neurons.