Wireless optogenetics technology for neuroscience research has assisted the neuroscience community in controlling neural activation and silencing and catalyzed a desire for powerful synergistic tools. One of the latest advancement in complementary toolsets is the creation of fiber photometry, with capability to optically record neural activity. The currently-available tethered approach imposes physical constraints that restrict studies of natural behavior, including social interactions and movements in environments that include obstacles, housings, and other complex environments.
With this observation, the Rogers Research Group at Northwestern and Bruchas Lab at Washington University produced the first-ever wireless photometry system by leveraging concepts in injectable optoelectronic devices initially introduced in the context of optogenetics. The result is a proof-of-concept technology for optical recording with spatiotemporal precision in freely moving animals with reduced damage to brain tissue. The discovery demonstrates the possibility for simultaneous wireless recording and perturbation of neural dynamics, which will significantly enhance neuroscience research, therefore expand our understanding of brain function.
The full paper can be found here!