Neuroimaging and Behavior
The Neuro-Imaging and Behavior Core Facility will help to bridge the gap between recent innovations in optical and ultrasound imaging and the state-of-the-art rodent behavioral and neural circuit models and technologies at CSHL. A key limitation in understanding the neuronal substrates of behavior in model organisms, such as rodents, has been our inability to record activity (electro-physiologically or via imaging) in real time, during behavior, across large regions of the brain with high spatial and temporal resolution. This core brings together state-of-the-art imaging and photo-stimulation solutions for neuroscience research in rodent models.
Core Facility Staff
Resource Head
Florin Albeanu, Ph.D.
albeanu@cshl.edu
Director
Sanjeev Kaushalya, Ph.D.
kaushal@cshl.edu
516-367-6963
To reserve time on an instrument or to request training, visit the Neuroimaging and Behavior Core site in iLab.
Functional Ultrasound Imaging (FUSI)
Functional Ultrasound Imaging (FUSI) provides an excellent platform for whole brain functional recordings (hemodynamics) without any labeling. Activity in the brain is directly linked to the neurovascular coupling. Activity an any region of the brain is followed by increased blood supply to that region. This technique uses the changes in the blood flow/blood volume for the functional recordings. The system is equipped with a motorized 2D probe for volume scans. Functional recordings for a plane (for example a full coronal or sagittal plane of mouse brain) can be performed at 10Hz with ~100x100x50 µm spatial resolution. This is ideal for functional recordings in deep structures (0-10 mm) and probing correlations in activity across brain regions during specific behavioral tasks.
Zeiss Lightsheet Z.1
In light sheet microscopy, a thin sheet of light excites the fluorophores in the sample and fluorescence images are collected with a camera perpendicular to the sheet. The sample needs to be optically transparent (e.g. cleared tissue) for good penetration in thick samples. The system is equipped with 3 laser lines, 2 cameras, and a big sample holder (suitable for whole mouse brain preparations) for simultaneous dual color recordings and 5x and 20x collection objectives for different needs. Ideal for fast imaging of large cleared tissue or transparent live preparations. The system operates for a refractive index range of 1.3 to 1.5. and a resolution of 0.5×0.5×5 µm can be achieved. Typically for a one hemisphere of mouse brain it takes 2-5 hr. depending on the collection objective.
Multiphoton Mesoscope (Thorlabs)
A large field of view (5mm x 5mm) two photon microscope capable of simultaneous functional recordings across two optical Z-planes and multiple non-contiguous X-Y regions of interest with sub cellular resolution. Microscope body enables ±20° rotation around the sample and fine XYZ motion. This facilitates changing the field of view without moving the sample. Remote focusing provides fast axial control for 3D (multiplane) functional recordings with high temporal resolution. The system is equipped with a 920 nm ultrafast laser, a 488 nm diode laser, a scanner for targeted scan of 488 nm, a sCMOS camera and fluorescence lamp. This enables wide field imaging for easy access and two photon recordings together with optogenetic manipulations. The system is ideal for high speed functional recordings across several brain regions.
Serial Two Photon Tomography (STPT)
A two-photon microscope integrated with tiling and tissue sectioning provides an excellent platform for high resolution and high throughput fluorescence imaging of large volume samples. Fluorescently labeled fixed/cleared tissue is embedded in an agar block. Compared to lightsheet the speed of data acquisition is slower and sampling interval in z-direction is larger (typically 50 µm), but this method produces distortion free high-resolution images and can be used to visualize fine dendrites, spines and synaptic boutons. This system is ideal for quantifying expression and projection patterns, anatomical tracing, visualizing changes in neuronal projections and anatomy with subcellular/submicron resolution. Typically for a full mouse brain it takes 24 Hr for data acquisition.
To reserve time on an instrument or to request training, visit the Neuroimaging and Behavior Core site in iLab.
Last updated: Mar 2023
| Instrument | Unit | CSHL | External | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUSI | ||||
| Unassisted Use | Per hour | $ 25 | ||
| Training fee (add to hourly use fee) | Per hour | $ 25 | ||
| Staff assistance fee (add to hourly use fee) | Per hour | $ 35 | ||
| Zeiss Lightsheet Z.1 | ||||
| Unassisted Use | Per hour | $ 35 | $ 70 | |
| Training fee (add to hourly use fee) | Per hour | $ 25 | $ 70 | |
| Staff assistance fee (add to hourly use fee) | Per hour | $ 35 | $ 70 | |
| Mesoscope | ||||
| Unassisted Use | Per hour | $ 25 | ||
| Training fee (add to hourly use fee) | Per hour | $ 25 | ||
| Staff Assistance fee (add to hourly use fee) | Per hour | $ 35 | ||
| STPT | ||||
| Unassisted Use | Per hour | $ 20 | ||
| Unassisted Use – per brain | Per 24 hr | $ 200 | ||
| Staff Assistance fee (add to hourly use fee) | Per hour | $ 35 | ||