Optical microscopy system for precise 3D imaging and control of neurons

Researchers in Prof. Karl Deisseroth's laboratory have developed an optical imaging and optogenetics two photon laser system that uses a single beam to illuminate many sites in three-dimensions. The invention employs a low repetition rate, high peak energy laser with a programmable diffractive element to precisely deliver femtosecond pulsed laser light to cellular-sized regions under a microscope. This technology enables all optical closed loop observations and control of neural activity.

Stage of Research
The inventors were able to sample calcium signals at 10 Hz from 104 locations spanning 200 microns in depth through a cranial window over S1 barrel cortex in head-fixed mice (N=2) virally transduced with GCaMP6m (AAVdj-Camk2a-GCaMP6m) undergoing whisker stimulation.