ISLAND · An integrated setup for in-vitro optogenetic experiments using AI to localize stimulation with a feedback of electrophysiological signals

An integrated setup for in-vitro optogenetic experiments using AI to localize stimulation with a feedback of electrophysiological signals

The study of the brain remains one of the most challenging topics in science. A full understanding of the neuronal dynamics inside a living brain is still far from being achieved. Neuroscience tackles this problem by studying the neuronal functionality as individuals and in networks. For this purpose, different disciplines and approaches are used, e.g. electrophysiology, biochemistry, optogenetics and more. The main aim of project "ISLAND" is to develop an experimental platform for optogenetic studies in-vitro with a feedback from electrophysiological signals. In-vitro studies provide a simplified model of the brain function, by probing the network in 2D or 3D, in the pursuit of obtaining a comprehensive picture of the brain activity. The system proposed in the project can be a very useful tool to perform optogenetic experiments in-vitro, to study neural network circuity in a controlled environment, conveniently and efficiently. The setup we propose consists of: - “Writing” unit- An optical system providing light for stimulating the neuronal culture (genetically modified for expressing light-sensitivity). - “Reading” unit- A microelectrode array (MEA) which samples the electrophysiological signals generated by the neuronal culture. - Processing and control unit- Analyses the electrophysiological signals and provides feedback to the optical stimulation system, which generates accordingly the stimulation pattern. During the project we developed an integrated experimental setup which includes light stimulation system, based on digital light processor (DLP); and an electrophysiological recording system- microelectrode array (MEA). Then we developed an AI-based software which is able to map macroscopically the neuronal network under test and to simulate the dynamics of this network. This software serves as feedback from the electrophysiological data which provides information on the morphology, functionality and connectivity of the neuronal network.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union