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

脑科学将受益于追踪复杂动物行为直至单个神经元集合的能力，以及建立实时闭环脑接口的能力，理想情况下，在自由运动的动物中进行深层脑访问。该研究项目旨在通过融合新颖的神经技术、复杂认知行为过程中神经回路的评估、大规模神经元集成分析和闭环行为控制来解决国家科学基金项目的重点领域。这项研究的结果将产生新的技术和计算工具，可以在神经科学和行为领域使用，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具有多学科背景的年轻工程师和科学家，以帮助定义脑接口和数据科学的未来轨迹。本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，为神经科学研究提供新的、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，为国家生物技术领域的劳动力需求做出贡献；3)通过周末研讨会和指导当地初中/高中的师生对，为K-12科学、技术、工程和数学教育做出贡献；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。本课题的研究目标是将高精度光电神经探针与实时神经解码相结合，反馈对动物行为的光遗传控制。这种闭环神经接口将为利用光遗传学工具和实时学习研究复杂动物行为建立一个可推广的技术平台。这项工作将为硬件工程、认知神经科学和数据科学之间的联系提供大量的研究机会。所建议的工作的智力价值将通过三个主要贡献来证明：1)展示结合多路记录和双向控制神经元集合的高精度光遗传脑接口；2)展示采用实时神经解码和自适应学习来控制动物行为的闭环脑接口；3)使用连接多个脑区的高精度多路数据来表征复杂决策。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，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。

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.