DURIP-21 A NOVEL MULTI-PHOTON TRANSLATIONAL MICROSCOPE FOR CELLULAR RESOLUTION IN VIVO BRAIN IMAGING IN FREELY BEHAVING DROSOPHILA
Abstract
The development of optically detectable calcium, voltage and cellular energy-sensing indicators have made it possible to record neural activity from large numbers of neurons at high temporal resolutions. However, linking neural activity to behavior remains a challenge, because most existing imaging paradigms and model organisms suffer from at least one of the following issues- 1) behaviorally restrained subjects, 2) poor coverage of the brain, or 3) limited behavioral and cognitive complexity. Consequently, it remains largely unknown how complex brain functions arise from the coordinated actions of large numbers of neurons across the brain. The goal of this study is to develop a method for monitoring chronic long-term brain-wide neural activity in freely behaving fruit flies at single-cell resolution, which approximately resolves all of the fore-mentioned issues. The advantage of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster lies in its powerful genetic and molecular tools useful for recording and manipulating neurons, as well as its relatively small brain that is capable of displaying highly complex behavior and cognition. Here we propose a novel opto-mechanical design that enables in vivo brain imaging at single-cell resolution in freely behaving fruit flies. We will perform chronic long-term neural activity recordings of brain-wide neuromodulatory circuits to visualize changes of information flow in,the brain brought about by stress (and rebound from it), a type of experiment and data that has thus far been unavailable in the field. Because of the conserved array of eurochemicals between fly and mammalian brains, this will allow us to eventually relate our findings to the mammalian brain with the goal of making testable predictions of relevant circuitry and regional interactions. Furthermore, this integrated system’s capabilities will make it possible to formulate a theoretical basis for large-scale neuronal coding underlying higher cognitive functions. Understanding this process, in turn, holds substantial promise for applications in computing and engineering.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502110262
Entities
People
- Dhruv Grover
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of California, San Diego