Novel contrast mechanisms and devices for imaging in neurobiology

在目前的所有成像手段中，光学显微镜是唯一能够以细胞和亚细胞分辨率探测活组织的方法，也是唯一具有广泛分子对比机制的方法。这种多功能性来自这样一个事实，即光与分子很好地相互作用，因此，基于密度、吸收、荧光和其他高级光学相互作用的对比度是可能的。基于新的对比机制的成像策略可以被开发并集成到当前的技术中，以增强生物学家的工具箱，或者可以被开发成新的成像设备，以实现生命科学中的创新应用。我们的团队站在光学技术和生物学的交界处，为生命科学，特别是神经科学的应用开发新的模式和设备。例如，我们正在开发一种光学切片神经活动成像显微镜，具有宽场激发，即使在厚组织中也能进行非常快的成像，用于神经生物学的基础研究。此外，我们正在开发基于激光技术的成像技术，这是对当今医学中使用的技术的补充。例如，由于脑活检是不可能的，我们正在开发一种显微内窥镜，用于成像脑深部结构，具有最小的侵入性和侧向损伤。最后，我们开发了一种显微镜，可以在视频速率下以非常高的空间分辨率成像活体动物的脊髓和其他组织。我们正在将其与我们的光学技术相结合，用于生物学的常规用途。

Amongst all current imaging modalities, optical microscopy is the only method capable of probing live tissue with cellular and subcellular resolution and is the only one with a broad range of molecular contrast mechanisms. This versatility comes from the fact that light interacts well with molecules and consequently, contrasts based on density, absorption, fluorescence, and other advanced optical interactions are possible. Imaging strategies based on novel contrast mechanisms can be developed and integrated into current technology to enhance a biologist's toolbox, or can be developed into new imaging devices to enable innovative applications in life sciences. Our group stands at the interface between optical technologies and biology, and develops new modalities and devices for applications in life sciences, in particular for neuroscience. For instance, we are developing an optically-sectioned neuronal activity imaging microscope with wide field excitation that permits very fast imaging even in thick tissue for fundamental studies in neurobiology. Also, we are developing imaging techniques based on laser technology that are complementary to techniques used today in medicine. For example, since brain biopsies are not possible, we are developing a micro endoscope for imaging deep brain structures with minimal invasiveness and colateral damage. Finally, we have developed a microscope that can image spinal cord and other tissues in live animals with a very high spatial resolution at video rates. We are integrating it with our optical techniques for routine use in biology.