Dysfunctional central noradrenergic (NAergic) transmission is implicated in a range of wide-spread cardio-vascular disorders, such as hypertension and heart failure. The neurophysiology and intracellular signalling properties of NAergic brainstem neurones can be studied in fluorescently visualised cells in vitro using patch clamp, micro-amperometry, or fluorescent indicators. In order to selectively visualise NAergic neurones we employ adenoviral vectors to express PRSx8-promoter-driven fluorescent protein transgenes. These vectors are also superb antero- and retrograde tracing tools. The vast majority of studies based on expressible fluorescence in the CNS have been using mutants of enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). eGFP-expressing neurones and glial cells are viable and demonstrate no abnormalities in their structure or function even in long-term experiments. Nevertheless, for many applications it is desirable to express a red fluorescent protein to allow cell visualisation in combination with green fluorescent indicators, for example Ca²⁺ dyes. We have previously generated vectors expressing various red fluorescent proteins, such as HcRed, DsRed and mRed (also known as mCherry) in central NAergic neurones. However, in addition to poor optical properties due to low quantum yield, these vectors frequently resulted in formation of inclusion bodies in transduced neurones, leading to deformation, swelling and cell death. Most likely toxicity of these proteins was due to their incomplete folding in central neurones and/or formation of oligomers. Here we report construction of an adenoviral vector to target expression of a newer member of the red protein family, DsRed2, to central NAergic neurones. DsRed2-fluorescent cells exhibit no signs of toxicity, show healthy morphology, and their electrophysiology is indistinguishable from similar neurones expressing EGFP. This opens a way for multi-colour fluorescent imaging in living brain tissue using cell-specific viral vectors.