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What is Intrinsic Optical Imaging?
Current advanced imaging techniques, such as calcium imaging, can record cortical activity with high spatial precision and cell-type specificity using the expression of fluorescent sensors and implantation of a cortical window; however, this technique can be quite invasive and complex. For head-fixed experiments measuring general changes in...
Selecting An Optogenetic Light Source: LED vs. Laser
When selecting an optogenetic light source, you will consider two key factors: the required light wavelength and intensity. First, the opsin you select has a specific activation spectrum, such that an opsin will only be activated by certain wavelengths of light. An opsin usually has a peak...
How Can Patterned Illumination be Used in Optogenetics Experiments? (Part 3)
Selective Optogenetic Stimulation with MEA to Detect Spread - Papasavvas et al. 2020 eNeuro
Interneurons are directly connected by gap junctions to other interneurons, and this provides a highly specific excitatory link. It is relatively unknown how gap-junction mediated propagation may be linked to increased activity. Papasavvas et...
What Systems are Available for Cellular-Resolution Optogenetics? (Part 3)
DMD Illuminator
A third patterned illumination system commonly used in optogenetic experiments employs a digital micromirror device (DMD), such as Mightex’s Polygon DMD Illuminator. A DMD is an array of many microscopic mirrors which can each be independently controlled. When illuminated, each micromirror corresponds to...
What Systems are Available for Cellular-Resolution Optogenetics? (Part 2)
Holographic Projection
To address the issues presented by serial pattern illumination, parallel excitation, as in phase- and amplitude, spatial light modulation techniques, may be used. Parallel excitation methods are more adaptable to a variety of experimental needs, as they allow simultaneous illumination of multiple diffraction-limited spots on...
How Can Patterned Illumination be Used in Optogenetics Experiments? (Part 2)
Targeted Illumination in Zebrafish - Tabor et al. 2018 Current Biology
Tabor et al. 2018 examined the cellular-basis of sensory filtering in zebrafish using prepulse inhibition (PPI). PPI is performed by pre-exposing an animal to a mild stimulus, and following this they are presented with an alarming stimulus....
What Systems are Available for Cellular-Resolution Optogenetics? (Part 1)
The ability to illuminate select neurons within a population of optogenetic-expressing neurons is called cellular-resolution optogenetics (1). Using this technique, researchers require more sophisticated spatial specificity to selectively stimulate individual neurons within an optogenetic-expressing population. The development of spatially targeted light technologies have enabled researchers...
How Can Patterned Illumination be Used in Optogenetics Experiments? (Part 1)
Patterned illumination technologies enable researchers to selectively illuminate parts of their sample for optogenetic stimulation. One application of this is cellular-resolution optogenetics: the ability to selectively illuminate individual neurons within an optogenetic-expressing population (to further understand the difference between widefield and cellular-resolution optogenetics, see this blog...
Widefield Vs. Cellular-Resolution Optogenetics: What’s the Difference?
Optogenetics as a technique to manipulate defined-neuronal activity with light has two main advantages: 1) Millisecond Temporal Precision and 2) Genetically-Defined Spatial Precision Temporal precision enables researchers to turn neurons on or off with millisecond timing. This fast timing can closely mimic...
What Equipment Do You Need to Perform Optogenetics?
Optogenetics unlocks the ability to activate or inhibit select populations of neurons. With this technique, researchers have been able to investigate the causal relationship between neural activity, function, and behaviour. The popularity of optogenetics is evident from the surge in publications featuring the technique since its invention...
For years, neuroscientists have been fixated on understanding how behavior and cognition arise from neural circuit activity. To begin investigating these questions, scientists originally employed slow pharmacological and imprecise electrical stimulation techniques to control neuron activity. However, with different classes of neurons communicating through vast, complex...
Can Optogenetics be Integrated with In Vivo Calcium Imaging?
The invention of optogenetics has enabled scientists to use light to turn cell-type specific neural activity on or off with millisecond-precision to probe neural circuit function. Complementing optogenetics, calcium imaging has provided scientists with a method to observe in vivo cell-type specific neural circuit activity with cellular-resolution...
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