Technologies

Manipulating neuronal activity in behaving rodents

 Optogenetics combines genetic engineering and optics to observe and control the function of genetically targeted groups of cells in intact animals. It is used:

• To probe defined neuronal circuits or precise neuronal populations

• To manipulate neuronal circuits in a reversible manner with high spatial and temporal precision (milliseconds timescale)

• To delineate the function and plasticity of defined neuronal circuits during behavior, in combination with electrophysiological and pharmacological approaches

Monitoring neuronal activity in behaving rodents

• simultaneous extracellular recording of the spiking activity of large numbers of individual neurons in different neuronal structures using electrophysiological approaches

• fibred confocal fluorescence microscopy (Cellvizio®) which allows dynamic and functional imaging of neuronal, but also vascular, ensembles in deep brain structures

To perform large scale electrophysiological recordings, large scale cellular/vascular imaging, optogenetics, and pharmacological manipulations, we have developed two versions of versatile cutting-edge commutators:

• A combined mode commutator, for simultaneous use of electrophysiological, optogenetics and pharmacological approaches in behaving rodents.

• A single-mode commutator, for simultaneous use of optogenetics or cellular/vascular imaging and pharmacological approaches in behaving rodents.