A turn-key optogenetics and electrophysiology measurement system

 描述(由申请人提供)：该项目的目标是设计和商业化用于小鼠和大鼠的系留和无线交钥匙光遗传学和electrophysiological/neurotransmitter/behavior测量系统。光遗传学利用遗传和光学方法的组合来直接控制中枢神经系统特定细胞中的神经元事件。这些方法适用范围很广，但可以专门用于提供对皮质活动和衰老的前所未有的了解。光遗传学领域正在走向成熟，光遗传学组件的商业来源不计其数；然而，这项技术需要包括化学、光学、生理学、电子学、机械、软件和系统分析在内的多学科技能。到目前为止，任何单一的实验都需要一个由单个组件设计的系统。许多研究人员也拥有现有的设备，他们希望将这些设备整合到一个完整的光遗传学系统中。这可能包括激光、摄像头以及潜在的行为硬件和软件平台。在这些情况下，通常使用数字定时协议(TTL)来保持同步，但也有一些微妙之处(设备延迟等)对于这种经常被忽视的方法。拟议的系统将能够将多个可选择的波长的光传输到一个或多个特定的大脑区域，同时记录啮齿动物整个生命周期中的电信号、神经递质和行为。电生理、机械和视觉输入以及光学和刺激输出之间的所有同步将通过主计时、数字输入/输出平台以及复杂的软件计时技术进行精确控制。LED光纤探头通过简单的电气连接连接到前台。这消除了对光纤旋转接头的需要，并实现了对传输光量的精确控制。建成后，该系统将为来自多个领域的研究人员提供一个交钥匙解决方案，将光基因控制与传统制药、衰老和其他研究无缝集成，从而显著提高科学知识。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this project is to design and commercialize tethered and wireless turn-key optogenetics and electrophysiological/neurotransmitter/behavior measurement systems for use in mice and rats. Optogenetics harnesses a combination of genetic and optical methods to directly control neuronal events in specific cells of the central nervous system. These methods are broadly applicable, but can be specifically used to provide an unprecedented understanding of cortical activity and aging. The optogenetics field is maturing and there are numerous commercial sources for optogenetic components; however, the technique requires a multidisciplinary skill set including chemistry, optics, physiology, electronics, mechanics, software, and systems analysis. To date, any single experiment requires a system designed from individual, component parts. Many researchers also have existing equipment that they desire to incorporate into a full optogenetics system. This may include lasers, cameras and potentially behavioral hardware and software platforms. In these situations, a digital timing protocol (TTL) is often used to maintain synchronization, but there are subtleties (device latency, etc.) to this approach that are often overlooked. The proposed system will be capable of delivering multiple, selectable wavelengths of light to one or more specific brain regions while simultaneously recording electrical signals, neurotransmitters and behavior in rodents throughout the lifespan of the animal. All synchronization between the electrophysiological, mechanical and visual inputs, and optical and stimulus outputs will be precisely controlled via a master timing, digital input/output platform as well as sophisticated software timing techniques. The LED fiber probe connects via a simple electrical connection to a headstage. This removes the need for fiber optic rotary joints and enables precise control of the amount of light delivered. When completed, this system will significantly improve scientific knowledge by providing a turn-key solution for researchers from multiple fields to seamlessly integrate optogenetic control alongside traditional pharmaceutical, aging and other studies.