NCS-FO: Collaborative Research: Optoelectronic Tools for Closed-Loop Neuron Ensemble Recording and Control during Complex Behaviors

NCS-FO：协作研究：复杂行为期间闭环神经元集成记录和控制的光电工具

• 批准号: 1834994
• 负责人: Ethan Meyers
• 金额: $ 4.67万
• 依托单位: Hampshire College
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2018-09-15 至 2023-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1834994&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: NCS; FO; Collaborative; Research; Optoelectronic

Brain science will benefit from the capabilities in tracing complex animal behaviors down to ensembles of individual neurons, and moreover establishing a real-time closed-loop brain-interface, ideally with deep brain access in a free-moving animal. This research project aims to address the focus areas in this National Science Foundation program by merging novel neurotechnology, evaluation of neural circuits during performance of complex cognitive behaviors, and large-scale neuron ensemble analysis and closed-loop behavioral control. The outcome of this research will result in new technologies and computational tools that can be used across the field of neuroscience and behavior, strengthening research efforts of multiple research groups. The educational objectives of this proposal are aimed at training and inspiring young engineers and scientists who are equipped with the multidisciplinary background required to help define the future trajectory of brain interfaces and data sciences. The broader impacts of this project include: 1) advancing transformative device technologies for next-generation neurotechnology and providing new and more powerful tools for neuroscience studies, 2) educating underrepresented undergraduate and graduate researchers to contribute to the nation's workforce needs in biotechnology, 3) contributing to the K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education through weekend seminars and mentoring student-teacher pairs from local middle/high schools; and 4) promoting neuroscience and neurotechnology among local senior citizens and support groups for neurological diseases. The research objective of this proposal is to combine high precision optoelectronic neural probes with real-time neural decoding to feedback optogenetic control over animal behavior. Such closed-loop neural interface will establish a generalizable technology platform to study complex animal behaviors using optogenetic tools and real-time learning. The proposed work will open ample research opportunities and form connections among hardware engineering, cognitive neuroscience, and data science. The intellectual merit of the proposed work will be evidenced by three major contributions: 1) demonstration of high-precision optogenetic brain interface that combines multiplexed recording from and bi-directional control over neuron ensembles, 2) demonstration of closed-loop brain interface that employs real-time neural decoding and adaptive learning to control animal behavior, and 3) characterization of complex decision-making using high-precision, multiplexed data linking multiple brain areas.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

脑科学将受益于将复杂的动物行为追踪到单个神经元集合的能力，此外，还将建立一个实时闭环脑接口，理想情况下，可以在自由移动的动物中进行深层脑访问。该研究项目旨在通过合并新的神经技术，在复杂认知行为的表现过程中评估神经回路，以及大规模神经元集成分析和闭环行为控制来解决这个国家科学基金会计划的重点领域。这项研究的成果将产生可用于神经科学和行为领域的新技术和计算工具，加强多个研究小组的研究工作。该提案的教育目标旨在培养和激励年轻的工程师和科学家，他们具备帮助定义大脑接口和数据科学未来发展轨迹所需的多学科背景。该项目的广泛影响包括：1）推进下一代神经技术的变革性设备技术，并为神经科学研究提供新的和更强大的工具，2）教育代表性不足的本科生和研究生研究人员，为国家在生物技术方面的劳动力需求做出贡献，3）为K-12科学，技术，工程做出贡献，通过周末研讨会和指导当地初中/高中的学生-教师对，促进神经科学和数学教育;以及4）在当地老年人和神经疾病支持团体中推广神经科学和神经技术。 该方案的研究目标是将联合收割机高精度光电神经探针与实时神经解码相结合，对动物行为进行反馈光遗传控制。这种闭环神经接口将建立一个可推广的技术平台，以使用光遗传学工具和实时学习来研究复杂的动物行为。拟议的工作将开辟大量的研究机会，并在硬件工程、认知神经科学和数据科学之间建立联系。拟议工作的智力价值将通过三个主要贡献来证明：1）展示了高精度光遗传学脑接口，其结合了来自神经元集合的多路复用记录和对神经元集合的双向控制，2）展示了闭环脑接口，其采用实时神经解码和自适应学习来控制动物行为，以及3）使用高精度，该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。