Development of a digital micromirror system for precise spatiotemporal optogenetic stimulation paired with electrophysiology and imaging

直到最近，还没有办法准确控制大脑中的电信号。这对研究人员来说是一个问题，因为它阻碍了他们研究神经回路的详细操作。一种名为光遗传学的革命性新工具改变了这一点。现在，神经科学家可以使用不同颜色的光来控制特定脑细胞的电活动。然而，光遗传技术的全部潜力只有通过能够产生高空间和时间精度的光图案的设备才能实现。为此，Mightex Systems开发了一种工具，该工具使用数千个数字控制微镜阵列来快速生成任何颜色的任何照明图案-Polygon 400多波长动态空间照明系统。

Until recently, there was no way to accurately control the electrical signals in the brain. This was a problem for researchers, because it prevented them from studying the detailed operations of neural circuits. A revolutionary new tool, known as optogenetics, has changed this. Now, neuroscientists can control the electrical activity of specific brain cells using light of different colours. However, the full potential of optogenetic technologies can only be realized by devices that can generate patterns of light with high spatial and temporal precision. To this end, Mightex Systems has developed a tool that uses an array of thousands of digitally controlled micromirrors to rapidly generate any pattern of illumination in any colour - the Polygon 400 Multiwavelength Dynamic Spatial Illuminator system.