Expérimental et théorique
A non-invasive approach to visualize neuronal activity with single cell resolution is critical to understand how the brain works, how it computes information and controls behavior. In recent years, the introduction of genetically expressed indicators of neuronal activity, opened the way to optically detect neuronal activation via fluorescent optical imaging. The development of dedicated imaging approaches is critical to fully exploit this capability. The wavefront engineering microscopy group, at the Vision Institute, is pioneer in the development of advanced optical techniques applied to Neuroscience. In particular, it focuses on approaches based on wavefront shaping and phase modulation of laser beams, using Spatial Light Modulators (SLM), to generate arbitrary illumination patterns deep in living tissue. In this project, we propose to apply a recent technique for generation of 3D multispot holographic illumination, combined with a camera or single-pixel detector and signal reconstruction algorithms in order to develop a novel approach for fast volumetric imaging of neuronal activity. During the internship, the student will work on the implementation and validation of the approach and, according to his/her interest, will focus either on the data processing and signal reconstruction part or on the experimental implementation of the optical setup and the recording on simple biological preparations such as organotypic brain slices and zebrafish.