Multiphoton microscope

双光子显微镜是现代神经科学中最重要的方法之一。越来越多的出版物至少部分是基于这种类型的显微镜。它允许深入了解大脑的功能(深达几个100μm)，以及清醒动物中单个和大群神经元的功能。它可以用来确定神经元的结构和活动。我们研究计划中的一个关键问题是了解(I)神经元电路如何处理感觉信息，如气味和味道，以及(Ii)将其与动物的内部、行为状态和新陈代谢需求相结合，以产生灵活和适当的行为。由于光可以对组织造成极大的破坏，双光子显微镜是活体实验的首选方法，特别是在清醒的动物身上。除了多光子激光器外，拟议中的显微镜还将配备共振扫描仪和光遗传学设备。该扫描仪允许以高时间分辨率对大片大脑区域进行快速成像。有了光遗传学，我们可以操纵单个神经元，部分神经元，也可以操纵苍蝇的整个大脑区域。这些技术上的可能性对我们来说非常重要，因为我们想要了解神经元和神经元组的动力学及其在行为中的功能。

2-photon microscopy is one of the most important methods in modern neuroscience. An increasing number of publications are based at least in part on this type of microscopy. It allows deep insights into the function of the brain (up to several 100μm deep) and of single as well as large groups of neurons in the awake animal. It can be used to determine structure and activity of a neuron alike. A key question in our research program is to understand how (i) neuronal circuits process sensory information such as odors and tastes and (ii) integrate it with an animal's internal, behavioral state and metabolic needs to produce flexible and appropriate behaviors. Since light can be extremely damaging to a tissue, 2-photon microscopy is the method of choice for in vivo experiments, especially on awake animals. In addition to a multiphoton laser, the proposed microscope will be equipped with a resonant scanner and optogenetics equipment. The scanner allows fast imaging of large brain regions with high temporal resolution. With optogenetics we can manipulate single neurons, parts of neurons, but also whole brain areas of a fly. These technical possibilities are very important for us, because we want to understand the dynamics of neurons and neuron groups and their function in behavior.