IDBR Type A: Miniaturized Two-photon Microscopy for Deep Brain Imaging: An Integrated Circuit Design Using Electrowetting Optics

科罗拉多大学被授予使用新型微型非线性显微镜进行脑深部成像的奖项。光学成像方法与荧光标记相结合，提供了前所未有的能力来研究大脑中复杂神经网络的功能，一直到单个神经元的分辨率。然而，由于组织中的光散射，超过75%的大脑无法被研究。迫切需要提供高分辨率脑深部功能成像途径的技术，以进一步推进对大脑如何工作的基本理解。该项目将研究一种包含自适应光学的光纤成像仪。微创植入的微型光纤成像系统将使大脑深处数以千计的神经元可视化。大量的成像对于了解神经网络中涉及的复杂相互联系非常重要，而进入大脑的新区域将打开对大脑重要区域的研究，这些区域目前是其他技术无法访问的。这项工作本质上是跨学科的，结合了生物学、材料科学、物理学和工程学的各个方面，将为学生提供极好的机会，扩大他们在特定学科之外的科学知识。国际学生联合会将通过教学和教育推广活动来传播他们的工作成果，其中包括学生小组、本科生研究机会计划和针对未被充分代表的本科生的暑期计划。除了基础研究，该项目的成果将用于进一步了解大脑功能，促进人工智能，并治疗神经疾病。

An award is made to the University of Colorado to do deep brain imaging using a novel miniature nonlinear microscope. Optical imaging methods combined with fluorescent markers offer the unprecedented ability to study functioning of the complex neural networks in the brain down to the resolution of individual neurons. However, due to light scattering in tissue, over 75% of the brain cannot be studied. Technology that offers the path for high resolution deep brain functional imaging is urgently needed in order to further advance the fundamental understanding of how the brain works. This project will investigate a fiber-optic imaging instrument incorporating adaptable optics. The miniature fiber-optic imaging system implanted minimally-invasively will enable visualization of thousands of neurons deep in the brain. The large volume of imaging is important for understanding the complex interconnections involved in neural networks while access to new regions of the brain will open up study in important areas of the brain that are currently not accessible with other techniques.The work is interdisciplinary in nature, combining aspects of biology, materials science, physics, and engineering and will provide excellent opportunities for students to broaden their scientific knowledge outside of a specific discipline. The PI's will disseminate the results of their work through teaching and education outreach that includes student groups, undergraduate research opportunity programs and summer programs for under-represented undergraduates. Beyond basic research, results from this project will be used to further the understanding of brain function, advance artificial intelligence, and treat neurological disorders.