Optical Methods for the Functional Investigation of Neural Networks in the Mouse Whisker System
Overview
Watch this webinar to learn about some of the latest optical technologies for the functional investigation of brain circuits. Discussion topics range from all-optical two-photon imaging and bidirectional two-photon perturbation to micro-fabricated optics for aberration correction in endoscopic probes.
Presenter's Abstract
Information about sensory stimuli is encoded within brain circuits in the form of complex spatial and temporal activity patterns which are distributed across neurons. Understanding how these patterns influence behavior requires methods to measure and to perturb with high spatial resolution the activity of the multiple neuronal cell types engaged in sensory processing.
In this webinar, I will focus on our contribution to this growing field of research focusing on three main issues:
- Achieving efficient high-resolution bidirectional manipulation of cell activity;
- Minimizing crosstalk between imaging of the fluorescent sensors and opsin activation; and
- Applying this technology to deep brain regions using endoscopic probes.
Approaches to improve the optical properties of ultrathin endoscopes using 3D printed micro-lenses will also be discussed. Optical developments will be presented alongside with their applications to dissect out the functional properties of thalamocortical circuits in the mouse whisker system.
Speaker
Tommaso Fellin, Senior Investigator, Optical Approaches to Brain Function Laboratory, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Genova, Italy
