Improved methods for functional neuronal imaging with genetically encoded voltage indicators

Supervisors

Simon Schultz (Bioengineering)
Mark Neil (Physics)
Thomas Knöpfel (Brain Sciences)

This project will adapt and develop wide-field temporal focussing microscopy (WF-TEFO) to optimise it for imaging genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs). This will allow improved signal-to-noise ratio and temporal resolution, enabling the study of neuronal connectivity in the mouse neocortex and hippocampus by imaging post-synaptic potentials in an acute brain slice preparation. Determining connectivity patterns is essential for reverse engineering of the brain, and experimental values for statistical parameters can constrain theoretical models that support theories of cognitive function. Current techniques for measuring connectivity are extremely low throughput; this novel approach will allow a wider range of parameters to be determined with far higher sample sizes.

Student

Peter Quicke