Equipment to accelerate studies of the effects of electromagnetic radiation on living organisms
Abstract
Key gaps remain in our understanding of the biophysical effects of pulsed electromagnetic (EM) radiation on living organisms. For example, short pulses of infrared light can reversibly alter the electrical activity of neurons, yet the majority of the studies in this area have been performed on single cells in two-dimensional (2D) cultures or exposed nerves in invertebrates. The impact of this phenomenon on complex, intact living tissues and whole organisms is currently unknown. Therefore, we propose EINSTEIN, a system for in vivo microscopy and animal behavioral monitoring to support research of the effects of electromagnetic radiation on cell function and animal behavior simultaneously. With EINSTEIN, the microscopic effects of pulsed EM on cells and tissues will be correlated with alterations in macroscopic animal behavior. To accelerate in vivo research of EM bioeffects, EINSTEIN consists of a three-photon (3P) fluorescence microscope with rotatable scan head to evaluate transcranial and transcutical in vivo pulsed EM bioeffects within mice and drosophila, respectively. The non-invasive nature of 3P microscopy facilitates chronic studies of EM-induced alterations to neural structures. For correlating cell responses with animal behavior, EINSTIEN includes a fiber-optic system that can stimulate and record neural activity in freely behaving mice and a customized multiphoton, light-sheet fluorescence lifetime microscope that will enable drosophila brain imaging during electromagnetic stimulation of drosophila with chemotaxis and phototaxis behaviors controlled within a virtual reality platform. Altogether, EINSTEIN will enable unprecedented in vivo studies that capture microscopic and macroscopic biophysical effects of pulsed electromagnetic radiation on animals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 06, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310537
Entities
People
- Alexandra Walsh
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Texas Engineering Experiment Station
- United States Air Force