Depth-specific optogenetic control in vivo with a scalable, high density µLED neural probe

Scharf, Robert and Tsunematsu, Tomomi and McAlinden, Niall and Dawson, Martin D. and Sakata, Shuzo and Mathieson, Keith (2016) Depth-specific optogenetic control in vivo with a scalable, high density µLED neural probe. Scientific Reports, 6. 28381. ISSN 2045-2322

[thumbnail of Scharf-etal-SR-2016-depth-specific-optogenetic-control-in-vivo-with-a-scalable]
Preview
 Text (Scharf-etal-SR-2016-depth-specific-optogenetic-control-in-vivo-with-a-scalable)
Scharf_etal_SR_2016_depth_specific_optogenetic_control_in_vivo_with_a_scalable.pdf
Final Published Version
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 logo
Download (1MB)| Preview

    Abstract

    Controlling neural circuits is a powerful approach to uncover a causal link between neural activity and behaviour. Optogenetics has been widely adopted by the neuroscience community as it offers cell-type-specific perturbation with millisecond precision. However, these studies require light delivery in complex patterns with cellular-scale resolution, while covering a large volume of tissue at depth in vivo. Here we describe a novel high-density silicon-based microscale light-emitting diode (µLED) array, consisting of up to ninety-six 25 µm-diameter µLEDs emitting at a wavelength of 450 nm with a peak irradiance of 400 mW/mm2. A width of 100 µm, tapering to a 1 µm point, and a 40 µm thickness help minimise tissue damage during insertion. Thermal properties permit a set of optogenetic operating regimes, with ~0.5°C average temperature increase. We demonstrate depth-dependent activation of mouse neocortical neurons in vivo, offering an inexpensive novel tool for the precise manipulation of neural activity.

    ORCID iDs

    Scharf, Robert, Tsunematsu, Tomomi, McAlinden, Niall ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0369-8788, Dawson, Martin D. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6639-2989, Sakata, Shuzo ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6796-411X and Mathieson, Keith ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9517-8076;
    CORE (COnnecting REpositories)