Miniscope

Optical & ultrasound (in vivo) · reads

A head-mounted epifluorescence microscope uses an LED to excite fluorescent indicators and a miniature camera to record their emission while a mouse moves freely. GCaMP-labelled neurons can be recorded through implanted GRIN relay lenses, including hippocampal and prefrontal populations. A cranial window provides an alternative optical access route. The MiniXL implementation records individual-cell calcium signals across a 3.5 mm diameter optical field; its comparison Miniscope V4 has a 1.1 mm diameter field. These field dimensions describe lateral coverage.

Spatial resolution

1.5 µm (two-source)

Temporal resolution

3.41 ms (sample interval)

Reads

GCaMP fluorescence; neuronal calcium activity

Destructive?

minimally destructive

Prerequisites

genetic engineering: One route is AAV delivery of GCaMP6f in the target brain region.; germline genetic engineering: Transgenic Thy1-GCaMP6f mice provide an alternative to viral indicator delivery.; surgery: Implant a GRIN relay lens and secure a baseplate to the skull for the head-mounted microscope. A cranial window with coverslip is an alternative optical access preparation.; anesthesia: Use isoflurane during surgery; imaging can proceed after recovery in freely moving mice.

Theoretical spatial resolution

1.2 µm (point spread)

Description

A head-mounted epifluorescence microscope uses an LED to excite fluorescent indicators and a miniature camera to record their emission while a mouse moves freely. GCaMP-labelled neurons can be recorded through implanted GRIN relay lenses, including hippocampal and prefrontal populations. A cranial window provides an alternative optical access route. The MiniXL implementation records individual-cell calcium signals across a 3.5 mm diameter optical field; its comparison Miniscope V4 has a 1.1 mm diameter field. These field dimensions describe lateral coverage.

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