Development of miniature microscopes for neural imaging using adaptive optics
January 29, 2021 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Emily Gibson, PhD
Dept. of Bioengineering, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora CO
Emily.gibson@cuanschutz.edu
ABSTRACT: Understanding how the brain’s complex neural networks perform critical functions and govern behavior, cognition and intuition is a key goal of neuroscience and can lead to improved treatment for various neurological disorders. The development of new tools for studying the brain is critical in this effort. Light microscopy has greatly expanded the capabilities for minimally invasive cellular-level biological studies and in combination with genetically encoded fluorescent indicators allows unprecedented real-time imaging of neural activity. Although imaging in head fixed animals has greatly advanced the field of neuroscience, certain behaviors can only be studied in a freely moving animal in a naturalistic environment. I will discuss recent work in my lab on the development of miniature multiphoton fiber-coupled microscopes for 3-D and multiplane imaging using adaptive optics and their applications for studies in freely moving and behaving animals.
BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Gibson is an associate professor in the department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus with a joint appointment in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics and Neuroscience Program. She earned her Ph.D. in physics from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a specialization in nonlinear optics. Her research interest is in development of optical technologies for clinical and basic biomedical research applications. She has expertise in a variety of microscopy and spectroscopy techniques for measurement of biological samples from protein, cellular to in vivo models. Her lab is involved in a number of collaborations with neuroscientists to design optical imaging tools to allow new studies of the brain.