| abstract |
Disclosed herein is a composition for imaging nerve cells. The composition includes a fluorescent dye; and a viral component including a neurotropic herpes varicellae unable to replicate in nerve cells, a viral protein of a neurotropic herpes varicellae unable to replicate in nerve cells, a capsid of a neurotropic herpes varicellae unable to replicate in nerve cells, or a combination thereof. The fluorescent dye is bound to the viral component to form a dye/viral component complex that is capable of penetrating nerve cells. |