Voltage imaging with genetically encoded indicators

Fluorescent Rhodopsins: A Challenging Test for Cost-Effective QM/MM Approaches

In this study, we evaluate the performance of two cost-effective models, namely, TD-DFT and ΔSCF methods, combined with different molecular mechanics models, to predict the photophysical and photochemical properties of a set of fluorescent mutants of the microbial rhodopsin Archaerhodopsin-3. We investigate absorption energies and excited-state isomerization barriers of the embedded retinal protonated Schiff-base chromophore by comparing different DFT functionals as well as different approximations of the embedding model. For absorption energies, CAM-B3LYP demonstrates the most consistent alignment with experiments among the functionals tested, whereas the embedding potentials exhibit similar accuracy. However, incorporating linear response corrections within the polarizable TD-DFT/MM framework enhances accuracy. The photoisomerization barriers, instead, exhibit a pronounced sensitivity to the choice of embedding model, underscoring the complex role that environmental factors play in modulating predictions of excited-state processes. For the two properties here investigated, ΔSCF/MM presents qualitatively similar behavior with respect to TD-DFT for all the tested embedding models.

Volumetric voltage imaging of neuronal populations in the mouse brain by confocal light-field microscopy

Voltage imaging measures neuronal activity directly and holds promise for understanding information processing within individual neurons and across populations. However, imaging voltage over large neuronal populations has been challenging owing to the simultaneous requirements of high imaging speed and signal-to-noise ratio, large volume coverage and low photobleaching rate. Here, to overcome this challenge, we developed a confocal light-field microscope that surpassed the traditional limits in speed and noise performance by incorporating a speed-enhanced camera, a fast and robust scanning mechanism, laser-speckle-noise elimination and optimized light efficiency. With this method, we achieved simultaneous recording from more than 300 spiking neurons within an 800-µm-diameter and 180-µm-thick volume in the mouse cortex, for more than 20 min. By integrating the spatial and voltage activity profiles, we have mapped three-dimensional neural coordination patterns in awake mouse brains. Our method is robust for routine application in volumetric voltage imaging.

Bioorthogonal chemistry-based prodrug strategies for enhanced biosafety in tumor treatments: current progress and challenges

Cancer is a significant global health challenge, and while chemotherapy remains a widely used treatment, its non-specific toxicity and broad distribution can lead to systemic side effects and limit its effectiveness against tumors. Therefore, the development of safer chemotherapy alternatives is crucial. Prodrugs hold great promise, as they remain inactive until they reach the cancer site, where they are selectively activated by enzymes or specific factors, thereby reducing side effects and improving targeting. However, subtle differences in the microenvironments between tumors and normal tissue may still result in unintended cytotoxicity. Bioorthogonal reactions, known for their selectivity and precision without interfering with natural biochemical processes, are gaining attention. When combined with prodrug strategies, these reactions offer the potential to create highly effective chemotherapy drugs. This review examines the safety and efficacy of prodrug strategies utilizing various bioorthogonal reactions in cancer treatment.

Neuromodulator and neuropeptide sensors and probes for precise circuit interrogation in vivo

To determine how neuronal circuits encode and drive behavior, it is often necessary to measure and manipulate different aspects of neurochemical signaling in awake animals. Optogenetics and calcium sensors have paved the way for these types of studies, allowing for the perturbation and readout of spiking activity within genetically defined cell types. However, these methods lack the ability to further disentangle the roles of individual neuromodulator and neuropeptides on circuits and behavior. We review recent advances in chemical biology tools that enable precise spatiotemporal monitoring and control over individual neuroeffectors and their receptors in vivo. We also highlight discoveries enabled by such tools, revealing how these molecules signal across different timescales to drive learning, orchestrate behavioral changes, and modulate circuit activity.

Recent advances in light patterned optogenetic photostimulation in freely moving mice

Optogenetics opened the door to a new era of neuroscience. New optical developments are under way to enable high-resolution neuronal activity imaging and selective photostimulation of neuronal ensembles in freely moving animals. These advancements could allow researchers to interrogate, with cellular precision, functionally relevant neuronal circuits in the framework of naturalistic brain activity. We provide an overview of the current state-of-the-art of imaging and photostimulation in freely moving rodents and present a road map for future optical and engineering developments toward miniaturized microscopes that could reach beyond the currently existing systems.

Cl--dependent amplification of excitatory synaptic potentials at distal dendrites revealed by voltage imaging

The processing of synaptic signals in somatodendritic compartments determines neuronal computation. Although the amplification of excitatory signals by local voltage-dependent cation channels has been extensively studied, their spatiotemporal dynamics in elaborate dendritic branches remain obscure owing to technical limitations. Using fluorescent voltage imaging throughout dendritic arborizations in hippocampal pyramidal neurons, we demonstrate a unique chloride ion (Cl-)-dependent remote computation mechanism in the distal branches. Excitatory postsynaptic potentials triggered by local laser photolysis of caged glutamate spread along dendrites, with gradual amplification toward the distal end while attenuation toward the soma. Tour de force subcellular patch-clamp recordings from thin branches complemented by biophysical model simulations revealed that the asymmetric augmentation of excitation relies on tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium ion (Na+) channels and Cl- conductance accompanied by a more hyperpolarized dendritic resting potential. Together, this study reveals the cooperative voltage-dependent actions of cation and anion conductance for dendritic supralinear computation, which can locally decode the spatiotemporal context of synaptic inputs.

Rational Design of Far-Red Archaerhodopsin-3-Based Fluorescent Genetically Encoded Voltage Indicators: from Elucidation of the Fluorescence Mechanism in Archers to Novel Red-Shifted Variants

Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) have found wide applications as molecular tools for visualization of changes in cell membrane potential. Among others, several classes of archaerhodopsin-3-based GEVIs have been developed and have proved themselves promising in various molecular imaging studies. To expand the application range for this type of GEVIs, new variants with absorption band maxima shifted toward the first biological window and enhanced fluorescence signal are required. Here, we integrate computational and experimental strategies to reveal structural factors that distinguish far-red bright archaerhodopsin-3-based GEVIs, Archers, obtained by directed evolution in a previous study (McIsaac et al., PNAS, 2014) and the wild-type archaerhodopsin-3 with an extremely dim fluorescence signal, aiming to use the obtained information in subsequent rational design. We found that the fluorescence can be enhanced by stabilization of a certain conformation of the protein, which, in turn, can be achieved by tuning the pK a value of two titratable residues. These findings were supported further by introducing mutations into wild-type archeorhodopsin-3 and detecting the enhancement of the fluorescence signal. Finally, we came up with a rational design and proposed previously unknown Archers variants with red-shifted absorption bands (λmax up to 640 nm) and potential-dependent bright fluorescence (quantum yield up to 0.97%).

Diving into the zebrafish brain: exploring neuroscience frontiers with genetic tools, imaging techniques, and behavioral insights

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is increasingly used in neuroscience research. Zebrafish are relatively easy to maintain, and their high fecundity makes them suitable for high-throughput experiments. Their small, transparent embryos and larvae allow for easy microscopic imaging of the developing brain. Zebrafish also share a high degree of genetic similarity with humans, and are amenable to genetic manipulation techniques, such as gene knockdown, knockout, or knock-in, which allows researchers to study the role of specific genes relevant to human brain development, function, and disease. Zebrafish can also serve as a model for behavioral studies, including locomotion, learning, and social interactions. In this review, we present state-of-the-art methods to study the brain function in zebrafish, including genetic tools for labeling single neurons and neuronal circuits, live imaging of neural activity, synaptic dynamics and protein interactions in the zebrafish brain, optogenetic manipulation, and the use of virtual reality technology for behavioral testing. We highlight the potential of zebrafish for neuroscience research, especially regarding brain development, neuronal circuits, and genetic-based disorders and discuss its certain limitations as a model.

Unravelling molecular dynamics in living cells: Fluorescent protein biosensors for cell biology

Genetically encoded, fluorescent protein (FP)-based Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensors are microscopy imaging tools tailored for the precise monitoring and detection of molecular dynamics within subcellular microenvironments. They are characterised by their ability to provide an outstanding combination of spatial and temporal resolutions in live-cell microscopy. In this review, we begin by tracing back on the historical development of genetically encoded FP labelling for detection in live cells, which lead us to the development of early biosensors and finally to the engineering of single-chain FRET-based biosensors that have become the state-of-the-art today. Ultimately, this review delves into the fundamental principles of FRET and the design strategies underpinning FRET-based biosensors, discusses their diverse applications and addresses the distinct challenges associated with their implementation. We place particular emphasis on single-chain FRET biosensors for the Rho family of guanosine triphosphate hydrolases (GTPases), pointing to their historical role in driving our understanding of the molecular dynamics of this important class of signalling proteins and revealing the intricate relationships and regulatory mechanisms that comprise Rho GTPase biology in living cells.

Methods and Measures for Investigating Microscale Motility

Motility is an essential factor for an organism's survival and diversification. With the advent of novel single-cell technologies, analytical frameworks, and theoretical methods, we can begin to probe the complex lives of microscopic motile organisms and answer the intertwining biological and physical questions of how these diverse lifeforms navigate their surroundings. Herein, we summarize the main mechanisms of microscale motility and give an overview of different experimental, analytical, and mathematical methods used to study them across different scales encompassing the molecular-, individual-, to population-level. We identify transferable techniques, pressing challenges, and future directions in the field. This review can serve as a starting point for researchers who are interested in exploring and quantifying the movements of organisms in the microscale world.

Compact Electrochromic Optical Recording of Bioelectric Potentials

Electrochromic optical recording (ECORE) is a label-free method that utilizes electrochromism to optically detect electrical signals in biological cells with a high signal-to-noise ratio and is suitable for long-term recording. However, ECORE usually requires a large and intricate optical setup, making it relatively difficult to transport and to study specimens on a large scale. Here, we present a Compact ECORE (CECORE) apparatus that drastically reduces the spatial footprint and complexity of the ECORE setup whilst maintaining high sensitivity. An autobalancing differential photodetector automates common-mode noise rejection, removing the need for manually adjustable optics, and a compact laser module conserves space compared to a typical laser mount. The result is a simple, easy-to-use, and relatively low cost system that achieves a sensitivity of 16.7 μV (within a factor of 5 of the shot noise limit), and reliably detects action potentials from Human-induced pluripotent stem cell (HiPSC) derived cardiomyocytes. This setup can be further improved to within 1.5 dB of the shot noise limit by filtering out power-line interference.

Bright and sensitive red voltage indicators for imaging action potentials in brain slices and pancreatic islets

Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) allow the direct visualization of cellular membrane potential at the millisecond time scale. Among these, red-emitting GEVIs have been reported to support multichannel recordings and manipulation of cellular activities with reduced autofluorescence background. However, the limited sensitivity and dimness of existing red GEVIs have restricted their applications in neuroscience. Here, we report a pair of red-shifted opsin-based GEVIs, Cepheid1b and Cepheid1s, with improved dynamic range, brightness, and photostability. The improved dynamic range is achieved by a rational design to raise the electrochromic Förster resonance energy transfer efficiency, and the higher brightness and photostability are approached with separately engineered red fluorescent proteins. With Cepheid1 indicators, we recorded complex firings and subthreshold activities of neurons on acute brain slices and observed heterogeneity in the voltage‑calcium coupling on pancreatic islets. Overall, Cepheid1 indicators provide a strong tool to investigate excitable cells in various sophisticated biological systems.

Genetic Approaches for Neural Circuits Dissection in Non-human Primates

Genetic tools, which can be used for the morphology study of specific neurons, pathway-selective connectome mapping, neuronal activity monitoring, and manipulation with a spatiotemporal resolution, have been widely applied to the understanding of complex neural circuit formation, interactions, and functions in rodents. Recently, similar genetic approaches have been tried in non-human primates (NHPs) in neuroscience studies for dissecting the neural circuits involved in sophisticated behaviors and clinical brain disorders, although they are still very preliminary. In this review, we introduce the progress made in the development and application of genetic tools for brain studies on NHPs. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of each approach and provide a perspective for using genetic tools to study the neural circuits of NHPs.

Functional imaging-guided cell selection for evolving genetically encoded fluorescent indicators

Genetically encoded fluorescent indicators are powerful tools for tracking cellular dynamic processes. Engineering these indicators requires balancing screening dimensions with screening throughput. Herein, we present a functional imaging-guided photoactivatable cell selection platform, Faculae (functional imaging-activated molecular evolution), for linking microscopic phenotype with the underlying genotype in a pooled mutant library. Faculae is capable of assessing tens of thousands of variants in mammalian cells simultaneously while achieving photoactivation with single-cell resolution in seconds. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, we applied Faculae to perform multidimensional directed evolution for far-red genetically encoded calcium indicators (FR-GECIs) with improved brightness (Nier1b) and signal-to-baseline ratio (Nier1s). We anticipate that this image-based pooled screening method will facilitate the development of a wide variety of biomolecular tools.

Orange/far-red hybrid voltage indicators with reduced phototoxicity enable reliable long-term imaging in neurons and cardiomyocytes

Hybrid voltage indicators (HVIs) are chemogenetic sensors that combines the superior photophysical properties of organic dyes and the genetic targetability of protein sensors to report transient membrane voltage changes. They exhibit boosted sensitivity in excitable cells such as neurons and cardiomyocytes. However, the voltage signals recorded during long-term imaging are severely diminished or distorted due to phototoxicity and photobleaching issues. To capture stable electrophysiological activities over a long time, we employ cyanine dyes conjugated with a cyclooctatetraene (COT) molecule as the fluorescence reporter of HVI. The resulting orange-emitting HVI-COT-Cy3 enables high-fidelity voltage imaging for up to 30 min in cultured primary neurons with a sensitivity of ~ -30% ΔF/F0 per action potential (AP). It also maximally preserves the signal of individual APs in cardiomyocytes. The far-red-emitting HVI-COT-Cy5 allows two-color voltage/calcium imaging with GCaMP6s in neurons and cardiomyocytes for 15 min. We leverage the HVI-COT series with reduced phototoxicity and photobleaching to evaluate the impact of drug candidates on the electrophysiology of excitable cells.

Bioluminescent Genetically Encoded Glutamate Indicators for Molecular Imaging of Neuronal Activity

Genetically encoded optical sensors and advancements in microscopy instrumentation and techniques have revolutionized the scientific toolbox available for probing complex biological processes such as release of specific neurotransmitters. Most genetically encoded optical sensors currently used are based on fluorescence and have been highly successful tools for single-cell imaging in superficial brain regions. However, there remains a need to develop new tools for reporting neuronal activity in vivo within deeper structures without the need for hardware such as lenses or fibers to be implanted within the brain. Our approach to this problem is to replace the fluorescent elements of the existing biosensors with bioluminescent elements. This eliminates the need of external light sources to illuminate the sensor, thus allowing deeper brain regions to be imaged noninvasively. Here, we report the development of the first genetically encoded neurotransmitter indicators based on bioluminescent light emission. These probes were optimized by high-throughput screening of linker libraries. The selected probes exhibit robust changes in light output in response to the extracellular presence of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. We expect this new approach to neurotransmitter indicator design to enable the engineering of specific bioluminescent probes for multiple additional neurotransmitters in the future, ultimately allowing neuroscientists to monitor activity associated with a specific neurotransmitter as it relates to behavior in a variety of neuronal and psychiatric disorders, among many other applications.

Cognitive neuroscience perspective on memory: overview and summary

This paper explores memory from a cognitive neuroscience perspective and examines associated neural mechanisms. It examines the different types of memory: working, declarative, and non-declarative, and the brain regions involved in each type. The paper highlights the role of different brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex in working memory and the hippocampus in declarative memory. The paper also examines the mechanisms that underlie the formation and consolidation of memory, including the importance of sleep in the consolidation of memory and the role of the hippocampus in linking new memories to existing cognitive schemata. The paper highlights two types of memory consolidation processes: cellular consolidation and system consolidation. Cellular consolidation is the process of stabilizing information by strengthening synaptic connections. System consolidation models suggest that memories are initially stored in the hippocampus and are gradually consolidated into the neocortex over time. The consolidation process involves a hippocampal-neocortical binding process incorporating newly acquired information into existing cognitive schemata. The paper highlights the role of the medial temporal lobe and its involvement in autobiographical memory. Further, the paper discusses the relationship between episodic and semantic memory and the role of the hippocampus. Finally, the paper underscores the need for further research into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying non-declarative memory, particularly conditioning. Overall, the paper provides a comprehensive overview from a cognitive neuroscience perspective of the different processes involved in memory consolidation of different types of memory.

High-throughput deep tissue two-photon microscopy at kilohertz frame rates

High-speed laser scanning microscopes are essential for monitoring fast biological phenomena. However, existing strategies that achieve millisecond time resolution with two-photon microscopes (2PMs) are generally technically challenging and suffer from compromises among imaging field of view, excitation efficiency, and depth penetration in thick tissue. Here, we present a versatile solution that enables a conventional video-rate 2PM to perform 2D scanning at kilohertz frame rates over large fields of view. Our system is based on implementation of a scan multiplier unit that provides inertia-free multiplication of the scanning speed while preserving all the benefits of standard 2PM. We demonstrate kilohertz subcellular-resolution 2PM imaging with an order of magnitude higher imaging throughput than previously achievable and penetration depths exceeding 500 μm, which we apply to the study of neurovascular coupling dynamics in the mouse brain.

A fully-automated low-cost cardiac monolayer optical mapping robot

Scalable and high-throughput electrophysiological measurement systems are necessary to accelerate the elucidation of cardiac diseases in drug development. Optical mapping is the primary method of simultaneously measuring several key electrophysiological parameters, such as action potentials, intracellular free calcium and conduction velocity, at high spatiotemporal resolution. This tool has been applied to isolated whole-hearts, whole-hearts in-vivo, tissue-slices and cardiac monolayers/tissue-constructs. Although optical mapping of all of these substrates have contributed to our understanding of ion-channels and fibrillation dynamics, cardiac monolayers/tissue-constructs are scalable macroscopic substrates that are particularly amenable to high-throughput interrogation. Here, we describe and validate a scalable and fully-automated monolayer optical mapping robot that requires no human intervention and with reasonable costs. As a proof-of-principle demonstration, we performed parallelized macroscopic optical mapping of calcium dynamics in the well-established neonatal-rat-ventricular-myocyte monolayer plated on standard 35 mm dishes. Given the advancements in regenerative and personalized medicine, we also performed parallelized macroscopic optical mapping of voltage dynamics in human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte monolayers using a genetically encoded voltage indictor and a commonly-used voltage sensitive dye to demonstrate the versatility of our system.

Whole-brain imaging of freely-moving zebrafish

One of the holy grails of neuroscience is to record the activity of every neuron in the brain while an animal moves freely and performs complex behavioral tasks. While important steps forward have been taken recently in large-scale neural recording in rodent models, single neuron resolution across the entire mammalian brain remains elusive. In contrast the larval zebrafish offers great promise in this regard. Zebrafish are a vertebrate model with substantial homology to the mammalian brain, but their transparency allows whole-brain recordings of genetically-encoded fluorescent indicators at single-neuron resolution using optical microscopy techniques. Furthermore zebrafish begin to show a complex repertoire of natural behavior from an early age, including hunting small, fast-moving prey using visual cues. Until recently work to address the neural bases of these behaviors mostly relied on assays where the fish was immobilized under the microscope objective, and stimuli such as prey were presented virtually. However significant progress has recently been made in developing brain imaging techniques for zebrafish which are not immobilized. Here we discuss recent advances, focusing particularly on techniques based on light-field microscopy. We also draw attention to several important outstanding issues which remain to be addressed to increase the ecological validity of the results obtained.

Neurovascular coupling is preserved in chronic stroke recovery after targeted photothrombosis

Functional neuroimaging, which measures hemodynamic responses to brain activity, has great potential for monitoring recovery in stroke patients and guiding rehabilitation during recovery. However, hemodynamic responses after stroke are almost always altered relative to responses in healthy subjects and it is still unclear if these alterations reflect the underlying brain physiology or if the alterations are purely due to vascular injury. In other words, we do not know the effect of stroke on neurovascular coupling and are therefore limited in our ability to use functional neuroimaging to accurately interpret stroke pathophysiology. To address this challenge, we simultaneously captured neural activity, through fluorescence calcium imaging, and hemodynamics, through intrinsic optical signal imaging, during longitudinal stroke recovery. Our data suggest that neurovascular coupling was preserved in the chronic phase of recovery (2 weeks and 4 weeks post-stoke) and resembled pre-stroke neurovascular coupling. This indicates that functional neuroimaging faithfully represents the underlying neural activity in chronic stroke. Further, neurovascular coupling in the sub-acute phase of stroke recovery was predictive of long-term behavioral outcomes. Stroke also resulted in increases in global brain oscillations, which showed distinct patterns between neural activity and hemodynamics. Increased neural excitability in the contralesional hemisphere was associated with increased contralesional intrahemispheric connectivity. Additionally, sub-acute increases in hemodynamic oscillations were associated with improved sensorimotor outcomes. Collectively, these results support the use of hemodynamic measures of brain activity post-stroke for predicting functional and behavioral outcomes.

Advances in pulsed electric stimuli as a physical method for treating liquid foods

There is a need for alternative technologies that can deliver safe and nutritious foods at lower costs as compared to conventional processes. Pulsed electric field (PEF) technology has been utilised for a plethora of different applications in the life and physical sciences, such as gene/drug delivery in medicine and extraction of bioactive compounds in food science and technology. PEF technology for treating liquid foods involves engineering principles to develop the equipment, and quantitative biochemistry and microbiology techniques to validate the process. There are numerous challenges to address for its application in liquid foods such as the 5-log pathogen reduction target in food safety, maintaining the food quality, and scale up of this physical approach for industrial integration. Here, we present the engineering principles associated with pulsed electric fields, related inactivation models of microorganisms, electroporation and electropermeabilization theory, to increase the quality and safety of liquid foods; including water, milk, beer, wine, fruit juices, cider, and liquid eggs. Ultimately, we discuss the outlook of the field and emphasise research gaps.

Functional imaging of the exposed brain

When the brain is exposed, such as after a craniotomy in neurosurgical procedures, we are provided with the unique opportunity for real-time imaging of brain functionality. Real-time functional maps of the exposed brain are vital to ensuring safe and effective navigation during these neurosurgical procedures. However, current neurosurgical practice has yet to fully harness this potential as it pre-dominantly relies on inherently limited techniques such as electrical stimulation to provide functional feedback to guide surgical decision-making. A wealth of especially experimental imaging techniques show unique potential to improve intra-operative decision-making and neurosurgical safety, and as an added bonus, improve our fundamental neuroscientific understanding of human brain function. In this review we compare and contrast close to twenty candidate imaging techniques based on their underlying biological substrate, technical characteristics and ability to meet clinical constraints such as compatibility with surgical workflow. Our review gives insight into the interplay between technical parameters such sampling method, data rate and a technique's real-time imaging potential in the operating room. By the end of the review, the reader will understand why new, real-time volumetric imaging techniques such as functional Ultrasound (fUS) and functional Photoacoustic Computed Tomography (fPACT) hold great clinical potential for procedures in especially highly eloquent areas, despite the higher data rates involved. Finally, we will highlight the neuroscientific perspective on the exposed brain. While different neurosurgical procedures ask for different functional maps to navigate surgical territories, neuroscience potentially benefits from all these maps. In the surgical context we can uniquely combine healthy volunteer studies, lesion studies and even reversible lesion studies in in the same individual. Ultimately, individual cases will build a greater understanding of human brain function in general, which in turn will improve neurosurgeons' future navigational efforts.

Detection of Membrane Potential-Dependent Rhodopsin Fluorescence Using Low-Intensity Light Emitting Diode for Long-Term Imaging

Microbial rhodopsin is a family of photoreceptive membrane proteins that commonly consist of a seven-transmembrane domain and a derivative of vitamin-A, retinal, as a chromophore. In 2011, archaeorhodopsin-3 (AR3) was shown to exhibit voltage-dependent fluorescence changes in mammalian cells. Since then, AR3 and its variants have been used as genetically encoded voltage indicators, in which mostly intense laser stimulation (1-1000 W/cm2) is used for the detection of dim fluorescence of rhodopsin, leading to high spatiotemporal resolution. However, intense laser stimulation potentially causes serious cell damage, particularly during long-term imaging over minutes. In this study, we present the successful detection of voltage-sensitive fluorescence of AR3 and its high fluorescence mutant Archon1 in a variety of mammalian cell lines using low-intensity light emitting diode stimulation (0.15 W/cm2) with long exposure time (500 ms). The detection system enables real-time imaging of drug-induced slow changes in voltage within the cells for minutes harmlessly and without fluorescence bleaching. Therefore, we demonstrate a method to quantitatively understand the dynamics of slow changes in membrane voltage on long time scales.

Reconstruction of sparse recurrent connectivity and inputs from the nonlinear dynamics of neuronal networks

Reconstructing the recurrent structural connectivity of neuronal networks is a challenge crucial to address in characterizing neuronal computations. While directly measuring the detailed connectivity structure is generally prohibitive for large networks, we develop a novel framework for reverse-engineering large-scale recurrent network connectivity matrices from neuronal dynamics by utilizing the widespread sparsity of neuronal connections. We derive a linear input-output mapping that underlies the irregular dynamics of a model network composed of both excitatory and inhibitory integrate-and-fire neurons with pulse coupling, thereby relating network inputs to evoked neuronal activity. Using this embedded mapping and experimentally feasible measurements of the firing rate as well as voltage dynamics in response to a relatively small ensemble of random input stimuli, we efficiently reconstruct the recurrent network connectivity via compressive sensing techniques. Through analogous analysis, we then recover high dimensional natural stimuli from evoked neuronal network dynamics over a short time horizon. This work provides a generalizable methodology for rapidly recovering sparse neuronal network data and underlines the natural role of sparsity in facilitating the efficient encoding of network data in neuronal dynamics.

Fluorescence Imaging of Cell Membrane Potential: From Relative Changes to Absolute Values

Membrane potential is a fundamental property of biological cells. Changes in membrane potential characterize a vast number of vital biological processes, such as the activity of neurons and cardiomyocytes, tumorogenesis, cell-cycle progression, etc. A common strategy to record membrane potential changes that occur in the process of interest is to utilize organic dyes or genetically-encoded voltage indicators with voltage-dependent fluorescence. Sensors are introduced into target cells, and alterations of fluorescence intensity are recorded with optical methods. Techniques that allow recording relative changes of membrane potential and do not take into account fluorescence alterations due to factors other than membrane voltage are already widely used in modern biological and biomedical studies. Such techniques have been reviewed previously in many works. However, in order to investigate a number of processes, especially long-term processes, the measured signal must be corrected to exclude the contribution from voltage-independent factors or even absolute values of cell membrane potential have to be evaluated. Techniques that enable such measurements are the subject of this review.

Application Prospects of Triphenylphosphine-Based Mitochondria-Targeted Cancer Therapy

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death and the most important impediments to the efforts to increase life expectancy worldwide. Currently, chemotherapy is the main treatment for cancer, but it is often accompanied by side effects that affect normal tissues and organs. The search for new alternatives to chemotherapy has been a hot research topic in the field of antineoplastic medicine. Drugs targeting diseased tissues or cells can significantly improve the efficacy of drugs. Therefore, organelle-targeted antitumor drugs are being explored, such as mitochondria-targeted antitumor drugs. Mitochondria is the central site of cellular energy production and plays an important role in cell survival and death. Moreover, a large number of studies have shown a close association between mitochondrial metabolism and tumorigenesis and progression, making mitochondria a promising new target for cancer therapy. Combining mitochondrial targeting agents with drug molecules is an effective way of mitochondrial targeting. In addition, hyperpolarized tumor cell membranes and mitochondrial membrane potentially allow selective accumulation of mitochondria-targeted drugs. This enhances the direct killing of tumor cells by drug molecules while minimizing the potential toxicity to normal cells. In this review, we discuss the common pro-mitochondrial agents, the advantages of triphenylphosphine (TPP) in mitochondrial-targeted cancer therapy and systematically summarize various TPP-based mitochondria-targeting anticancer drugs.

Dual-Color Optical Recording of Bioelectric Potentials by Polymer Electrochromism

Optical recording based on voltage-sensitive fluorescent reporters allows for spatial flexibility of measuring from desired cells, but photobleaching and phototoxicity of the fluorescent labels often limit their sensitivity and recording duration. Voltage-dependent optical absorption, rather than fluorescence, of electrochromic materials, would overcome these limitations to achieve long-term optical recording of bioelectrical signals. Electrochromic materials such as PEDOT:PSS possess the property that an applied voltage can either increase or decrease the light absorption depending on the wavelength. In this work, we harness this anticorrelated light absorption at two different wavelengths to significantly improve the signal detection. With dual-color detection, electrical activity from cells produces signals of opposite polarity, while artifacts, mechanical motions, and technical noises are uncorrelated or positively correlated. Using this technique, we are able to optically record cardiac action potentials with a high signal-to-noise ratio, 10 kHz sampling rate, >15 min recording duration, and no time-dependent degradation of the signal. Furthermore, we can reliably perform multiple recording sessions from the same culture for over 25 days.

Modulating cell signalling in vivo with magnetic nanotransducers

Weak magnetic fields offer nearly lossless transmission of signals within biological tissue. Magnetic nanomaterials are capable of transducing magnetic fields into a range of biologically relevant signals in vitro and in vivo. These nanotransducers have recently enabled magnetic control of cellular processes, from neuronal firing and gene expression to programmed apoptosis. Effective implementation of magnetically controlled cellular signalling relies on careful tailoring of magnetic nanotransducers and magnetic fields to the responses of the intended molecular targets. This primer discusses the versatility of magnetic modulation modalities and offers practical guidelines for selection of appropriate materials and field parameters, with a particular focus on applications in neuroscience. With recent developments in magnetic instrumentation and nanoparticle chemistries, including those that are commercially available, magnetic approaches promise to empower research aimed at connecting molecular and cellular signalling to physiology and behaviour in untethered moving subjects.

Retinal chromophore charge delocalization and confinement explain the extreme photophysics of Neorhodopsin

The understanding of how the rhodopsin sequence can be modified to exactly modulate the spectroscopic properties of its retinal chromophore, is a prerequisite for the rational design of more effective optogenetic tools. One key problem is that of establishing the rules to be satisfied for achieving highly fluorescent rhodopsins with a near infrared absorption. In the present paper we use multi-configurational quantum chemistry to construct a computer model of a recently discovered natural rhodopsin, Neorhodopsin, displaying exactly such properties. We show that the model, that successfully replicates the relevant experimental observables, unveils a geometrical and electronic structure of the chromophore featuring a highly diffuse charge distribution along its conjugated chain. The same model reveals that a charge confinement process occurring along the chromophore excited state isomerization coordinate, is the primary cause of the observed fluorescence enhancement.

Multiregion neuronal activity: the forest and the trees

The past decade has witnessed remarkable advances in the simultaneous measurement of neuronal activity across many brain regions, enabling fundamentally new explorations of the brain-spanning cellular dynamics that underlie sensation, cognition and action. These recently developed multiregion recording techniques have provided many experimental opportunities, but thoughtful consideration of methodological trade-offs is necessary, especially regarding field of view, temporal acquisition rate and ability to guarantee cellular resolution. When applied in concert with modern optogenetic and computational tools, multiregion recording has already made possible fundamental biological discoveries - in part via the unprecedented ability to perform unbiased neural activity screens for principles of brain function, spanning dozens of brain areas and from local to global scales.

On the fluorescence enhancement of arch neuronal optogenetic reporters

The lack of a theory capable of connecting the amino acid sequence of a light-absorbing protein with its fluorescence brightness is hampering the development of tools for understanding neuronal communications. Here we demonstrate that a theory can be established by constructing quantum chemical models of a set of Archaerhodopsin reporters in their electronically excited state. We found that the experimentally observed increase in fluorescence quantum yield is proportional to the computed decrease in energy difference between the fluorescent state and a nearby photoisomerization channel leading to an exotic diradical of the protein chromophore. This finding will ultimately support the development of technologies for searching novel fluorescent rhodopsin variants and unveil electrostatic changes that make light emission brighter and brighter.

QuasAr Odyssey: the origin of fluorescence and its voltage sensitivity in microbial rhodopsins

Rhodopsins had long been considered non-fluorescent until a peculiar voltage-sensitive fluorescence was reported for archaerhodopsin-3 (Arch3) derivatives. These proteins named QuasArs have been used for imaging membrane voltage changes in cell cultures and small animals. However due to the low fluorescence intensity, these constructs require use of much higher light intensity than other optogenetic tools. To develop the next generation of sensors, it is indispensable to first understand the molecular basis of the fluorescence and its modulation by the membrane voltage. Based on spectroscopic studies of fluorescent Arch3 derivatives, we propose a unique photo-reaction scheme with extended excited-state lifetimes and inefficient photoisomerization. Molecular dynamics simulations of Arch3, of the Arch3 fluorescent derivative Archon1, and of several its mutants have revealed different voltage-dependent changes of the hydrogen-bonding networks including the protonated retinal Schiff-base and adjacent residues. Experimental observations suggest that under negative voltage, these changes modulate retinal Schiff base deprotonation and promote a decrease in the populations of fluorescent species. Finally, we identified molecular constraints that further improve fluorescence quantum yield and voltage sensitivity.

The authors present an in-depth investigation of excited state dynamics and molecular mechanism of the voltage sensing in microbial rhodopsins. Using a combination of spectroscopic investigations and molecular dynamics simulations, the study proposes the voltage-modulated deprotonation of the chromophore as the key event in the voltage sensing. Thus, molecular constraints that may further improve the fluorescence quantum yield and the voltage sensitivity are presented.

Transient Response and Firing Behaviors of Memristive Neuron Circuit

The signal transmission mechanism of the Resistor-Capacitor (RC) circuit is similar to the intracellular and extracellular signal propagating mechanism of the neuron. Thus, the RC circuit can be utilized as the circuit model of the neuron cell membrane. However, resistors are electronic components with the fixed-resistance and have no memory properties. A memristor is a promising neuro-morphological electronic device with nonvolatile, switching, and nonlinear characteristics. First of all, we consider replacing the resistor in the RC neuron circuit with a memristor, which is named the Memristor-Capacitor (MC) circuit, then the MC neuron model is constructed. We compare the charging and discharging processes between the RC and MC neuron circuits. Secondly, two models are compared under the different external stimuli. Finally, the synchronous and asynchronous activities of the RC and MC neuron circuits are performed. Extensive experimental results suggest that the charging and discharging speed of the MC neuron circuit is faster than that of the RC neuron circuit. Given sufficient time and proper external stimuli, the RC and MC neuron circuits can produce the action potentials. The synchronous and asynchronous phenomena in the two neuron circuits reproduce nonlinear dynamic behaviors of the biological neurons.

Understanding the physical basis of memory: Molecular mechanisms of the engram

Memory, defined as the storage and use of learned information in the brain, is necessary to modulate behavior and critical for animals to adapt to their environments and survive. Despite being a cornerstone of brain function, questions surrounding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of how information is encoded, stored, and recalled remain largely unanswered. One widely held theory is that an engram is formed by a group of neurons that are active during learning, which undergoes biochemical and physical changes to store information in a stable state, and that are later reactivated during recall of the memory. In the past decade, the development of engram labeling methodologies has proven useful to investigate the biology of memory at the molecular and cellular levels. Engram technology allows the study of individual memories associated with particular experiences and their evolution over time, with enough experimental resolution to discriminate between different memory processes: learning (encoding), consolidation (the passage from short-term to long-term memories), and storage (the maintenance of memory in the brain). Here, we review the current understanding of memory formation at a molecular and cellular level by focusing on insights provided using engram technology.

Chemical Targeting of Rhodol Voltage-Sensitive Dyes to Dopaminergic Neurons

Optical imaging of changes in the membrane potential of living cells can be achieved by means of fluorescent voltage-sensitive dyes (VSDs). A particularly challenging task is to efficiently deliver these highly lipophilic probes to specific neuronal subpopulations in brain tissue. We have tackled this task by designing a solubilizing, hydrophilic polymer platform that carries a high-affinity ligand for a membrane protein marker of interest and a fluorescent VSD. Here, we disclose an improved design of polymer-supported probes for chemical, nongenetic targeting of voltage sensors to axons natively expressing the dopamine transporter in ex vivo mouse brain tissue. We first show that for negatively charged rhodol VSDs functioning on the photoinduced electron transfer principle, poly(ethylene glycol) as a carrier enables targeting with higher selectivity than the polysaccharide dextran in HEK cell culture. In the same experimental setting, we also demonstrate that incorporation of an azetidine ring into the rhodol chromophore substantially increases the brightness and voltage sensitivity of the respective VSD. We show that the superior properties of the optimized sensor are transferable to recording of electrically evoked activity from dopaminergic axons in mouse striatal slices after averaging of multiple trials. Finally, we suggest the next milestones for the field to achieve single-scan recordings with nongenetically targeted VSDs in native brain tissue.

Microbial Rhodopsin Optogenetic Tools: Application for Analyses of Synaptic Transmission and of Neuronal Network Activity in Behavior

Over the past 15 years, optogenetic methods have revolutionized neuroscientific and cell biological research, also in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In this chapter, we give an update about current optogenetic tools and methods to address neuronal activity and inhibition, as well as second messenger signaling, based on microbial rhodopsins. We address channelrhodopsins and variants thereof, which conduct cations or anions, for depolarization and hyperpolarization of the membrane potential. Also, we cover ion pumping rhodopsins, like halorhodopsin, Mac, and Arch. A recent addition to rhodopsin-based optogenetics is voltage imaging tools that allow fluorescent readout of membrane voltage (directly, via fluorescence of the rhodopsin chromophore retinal, or indirectly, via electrochromic FRET). Last, we report on a new addition to the optogenetic toolbox, which is rhodopsin guanylyl cyclases, as well as mutated variants with specificity for cyclic AMP. These can be used to regulate intracellular levels of cGMP and cAMP, which are important second messengers in sensory and other neurons. We further show how they can be combined with cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in two-component optogenetics, for depolarization or hyperpolarization of membrane potential. For all tools, we present protocols for straightforward experimentation to address neuronal activation and inhibition, particularly at the neuromuscular junction, and for combined optogenetic actuation and Ca²⁺ imaging. We also provide protocols for usage of rhodopsin guanylyl and adenylyl cyclases. Finally, we list a number of points to consider when designing and conducting rhodopsin-based optogenetic experiments.

Neurophotonic tools for microscopic measurements and manipulation: status report

Neurophotonics was launched in 2014 coinciding with the launch of the BRAIN Initiative focused on development of technologies for advancement of neuroscience. For the last seven years, Neurophotonics' agenda has been well aligned with this focus on neurotechnologies featuring new optical methods and tools applicable to brain studies. While the BRAIN Initiative 2.0 is pivoting towards applications of these novel tools in the quest to understand the brain, this status report reviews an extensive and diverse toolkit of novel methods to explore brain function that have emerged from the BRAIN Initiative and related large-scale efforts for measurement and manipulation of brain structure and function. Here, we focus on neurophotonic tools mostly applicable to animal studies. A companion report, scheduled to appear later this year, will cover diffuse optical imaging methods applicable to noninvasive human studies. For each domain, we outline the current state-of-the-art of the respective technologies, identify the areas where innovation is needed, and provide an outlook for the future directions.

Linearly polarized excitation enhances signals from fluorescent voltage indicators

Voltage imaging in cells requires high-speed recording of small fluorescent signals, often leading to low signal/noise ratios. Because voltage indicators are membrane bound, their orientations are partially constrained by the plane of the membrane. We explored whether tuning the linear polarization of excitation light could enhance voltage indicator fluorescence. We tested a panel of dye- and protein-based voltage indicators in mammalian cells. The dye BeRST1 showed a 73% increase in brightness between the least and most favorable polarizations. The protein-based reporter ASAP1 showed a 22% increase in brightness, and QuasAr3 showed a 14% increase in brightness. In very thin neurites expressing QuasAr3, improvements were anomalously large, with a 170% increase in brightness between polarization parallel versus perpendicular to the dendrite. Signal/noise ratios of optically recorded action potentials were increased by up to 50% in neurites expressing QuasAr3. These results demonstrate that polarization control can be a facile means to enhance signals from fluorescent voltage indicators, particularly in thin neurites or in high-background environments.

An Autonomous Molecular Bioluminescent Reporter (AMBER) for Voltage Imaging in Freely Moving Animals

Genetically encoded reporters have greatly increased our understanding of biology. While fluorescent reporters have been widely used, photostability and phototoxicity have hindered their use in long-term experiments. Bioluminescence overcomes some of these challenges but requires the addition of an exogenous luciferin limiting its use. Using a modular approach, Autonomous Molecular BioluminEscent Reporter (AMBER), an indicator of membrane potential is engineered. Unlike other bioluminescent systems, AMBER is a voltage-gated luciferase coupling the functionalities of the Ciona voltage-sensing domain (VSD) and bacterial luciferase, luxAB. When co-expressed with the luciferin-producing genes, AMBER reversibly switches the bioluminescent intensity as a function of membrane potential. Using biophysical and biochemical methods, it is shown that AMBER switches its enzymatic activity from an OFF to an ON state as a function of the membrane potential. Upon depolarization, AMBER switches from a low to a high enzymatic activity state, showing a several-fold increase in the bioluminescence output (ΔL/L). AMBER in the pharyngeal muscles and mechanosensory touch neurons of Caenorhabditis elegans is expressed. Using the compressed sensing approach, the electropharingeogram of the C. elegans pharynx is reconstructed, validating the sensor in vivo. Thus, AMBER represents the first fully genetically encoded bioluminescent reporter without requiring exogenous luciferin addition.

Photocycle dynamics of the Archaerhodopsin 3 based fluorescent voltage sensor Archon2

The retinal photocycle dynamics of the fluorescent voltage sensor Archon2 in pH 8 Tris buffer was studied. Archon2 is a mutant of Archaerhodopsin 3 (Arch) from Halorubrum sodomense obtained by a robotic multidimensional directed evolution approach (Archon2 = Arch T56P-P60S-T80P-D95H-T99S-T116I-F161V-T183I-L197I-A225C). The samples were photo-excited to the first absorption band of the protonated retinal Schiff base (PRSB) Ret_586 (absorption maximum at λ_max = 586 nm, excitation wavelengths λ_exc = 590 nm and 632.8 nm). The photocycle dynamics were studied by recording absorption spectra during light exposure and after light exposure. Ret_586 photoisomerized to Ret_535 (main component) and Ret_485 (minor component). Ret_535 backward photoisomerized to Ret_586 in light-adapted state (named Ret_586_la) and partly deprotonated to neutral retinal Schiff base (RSB) Ret_372 in light adapted state (named Ret_372_la, same isomer form as Ret_535). After excitation light switch-off Ret_372_la recovered to Ret_372 in dark-adapted state (Ret_372_da) which slowly re-protonated to Ret_535, and Ret_535 slowly isomerized back to Ret_586 in dark-adapted state (Ret_586_da). Photocycle schemes and reaction coordinate diagrams are developed and photocycle parameters are determined.

Large-scale voltage imaging in behaving mice using targeted illumination

Recent improvements in genetically encoded voltage indicators enabled optical imaging of action potentials and subthreshold transmembrane voltage in vivo. To perform high-speed voltage imaging of many neurons simultaneously over a large anatomical area, widefield microscopy remains an essential tool. However, the lack of optical sectioning makes widefield microscopy prone to background cross-contamination. We implemented a digital-micromirror-device-based targeted illumination strategy to restrict illumination to the cells of interest and quantified the resulting improvement both theoretically and experimentally with SomArchon expressing neurons. We found that targeted illumination increased SomArchon signal contrast, decreased photobleaching, and reduced background cross-contamination. With the use of a high-speed, large-area sCMOS camera, we routinely imaged tens of spiking neurons simultaneously over minutes in behaving mice. Thus, the targeted illumination strategy described here offers a simple solution for widefield voltage imaging of many neurons over a large field of view in behaving animals.

Application of Fluorescent Proteins for Functional Dissection of the Drosophila Visual System

The Drosophila eye has been used extensively to study numerous aspects of biological systems, for example, spatio-temporal regulation of differentiation, visual signal transduction, protein trafficking and neurodegeneration. Right from the advent of fluorescent proteins (FPs) near the end of the millennium, heterologously expressed fusion proteins comprising FPs have been applied in Drosophila vision research not only for subcellular localization of proteins but also for genetic screens and analysis of photoreceptor function. Here, we summarize applications for FPs used in the Drosophila eye as part of genetic screens, to study rhodopsin expression patterns, subcellular protein localization, membrane protein transport or as genetically encoded biosensors for Ca2+ and phospholipids in vivo. We also discuss recently developed FPs that are suitable for super-resolution or correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) approaches. Illustrating the possibilities provided by using FPs in Drosophila photoreceptors may aid research in other sensory or neuronal systems that have not yet been studied as well as the Drosophila eye.

Optical Electrophysiology: Toward the Goal of Label-Free Voltage Imaging

Measuring and monitoring the electrical signals transmitted between neurons is key to understanding the communication between neurons that underlies human perception, information processing, and decision-making. While electrode-based electrophysiology has been the gold standard, optical electrophysiology has opened up a new area in the past decade. Voltage-dependent fluorescent reporters enable voltage imaging with high spatial resolution and flexibility to choose recording locations. However, they exhibit photobleaching as well as phototoxicity and may perturb the physiology of the cell. Label-free optical electrophysiology seeks to overcome these hurdles by detecting electrical activities optically, without the incorporation of exogenous fluorophores in cells. For example, electrochromic optical recording detects neuroelectrical signals via a voltage-dependent color change of extracellular materials, and interferometric optical recording monitors membrane deformations that accompany electrical activities. Label-free optical electrophysiology, however, is in an early stage, and often has limited sensitivity and temporal resolution. In this Perspective, we review the recent progress to overcome these hurdles. We hope this Perspective will inspire developments of label-free optical electrophysiology techniques with high recording sensitivity and temporal resolution in the near future.

Imaging Spontaneous Neuronal Activity with Voltage-Sensitive Dyes

Accurately mapping changes in cellular membrane potential across large groups of neurons is crucial for understanding the organization and maintenance of neural circuits. Measuring cellular voltage changes by optical means allows greater spatial resolution than traditional electrophysiology methods and is adaptable to high-throughput imaging experiments. VoltageFluors, a class of voltage-sensitive dyes, have recently been used to optically study the spontaneous activity of many neurons simultaneously in dissociated culture. VoltageFluors are particularly useful for experiments investigating differences in excitability and connectivity between neurons at different stages of development and in different disease models. The protocols in this article describe general procedures for preparing dissociated cultures, imaging spontaneous activity in dissociated cultures with VoltageFluors, and analyzing optical spontaneous activity data. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Preparation of dissociated rat hippocampal or cortical cultures Alternate Protocol: Preparation of microisland dissociated cultures Basic Protocol 2: Imaging of spontaneous activity in dissociated cultures using voltage-sensitive dyes Basic Protocol 3: Analysis of spontaneous activity imaging data.

The chemical tools for imaging dopamine release

Dopamine is a modulatory neurotransmitter involved in learning, motor functions, and reward. Many neuropsychiatric disorders, including Parkinson's disease, autism, and schizophrenia, are associated with imbalances or dysfunction in the dopaminergic system. Yet, our understanding of these pervasive public health issues is limited by our ability to effectively image dopamine in humans, which has long been a goal for chemists and neuroscientists. The last two decades have witnessed the development of many molecules used to trace dopamine. We review the small molecules, nanoparticles, and protein sensors used with fluorescent microscopy/photometry, MRI, and PET that shape dopamine research today. None of these tools observe dopamine itself, but instead harness the biology of the dopamine system-its synthetic and metabolic pathways, synaptic vesicle cycle, and receptors-in elegant ways. Their advantages and weaknesses are covered here, along with recent examples and the chemistry and biology that allow them to function.

Photoacoustic Neuroimaging - Perspectives on a Maturing Imaging Technique and its Applications in Neuroscience

A prominent goal of neuroscience is to improve our understanding of how brain structure and activity interact to produce perception, emotion, behavior, and cognition. The brain's network activity is inherently organized in distinct spatiotemporal patterns that span scales from nanometer-sized synapses to meter-long nerve fibers and millisecond intervals between electrical signals to decades of memory storage. There is currently no single imaging method that alone can provide all the relevant information, but intelligent combinations of complementary techniques can be effective. Here, we thus present the latest advances in biomedical and biological engineering on photoacoustic neuroimaging in the context of complementary imaging techniques. A particular focus is placed on recent advances in whole-brain photoacoustic imaging in rodent models and its influential role in bridging the gap between fluorescence microscopy and more non-invasive techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We consider current strategies to address persistent challenges, particularly in developing molecular contrast agents, and conclude with an overview of potential future directions for photoacoustic neuroimaging to provide deeper insights into healthy and pathological brain processes.

Clustered functional domains for curves and corners in cortical area V4

The ventral visual pathway is crucially involved in integrating low-level visual features into complex representations for objects and scenes. At an intermediate stage of the ventral visual pathway, V4 plays a crucial role in supporting this transformation. Many V4 neurons are selective for shape segments like curves and corners; however, it remains unclear whether these neurons are organized into clustered functional domains, a structural motif common across other visual cortices. Using two-photon calcium imaging in awake macaques, we confirmed and localized cortical domains selective for curves or corners in V4. Single-cell resolution imaging confirmed that curve- or corner-selective neurons were spatially clustered into such domains. When tested with hexagonal-segment stimuli, we find that stimulus smoothness is the cardinal difference between curve and corner selectivity in V4. Combining cortical population responses with single-neuron analysis, our results reveal that curves and corners are encoded by neurons clustered into functional domains in V4. This functionally specific population architecture bridges the gap between the early and late cortices of the ventral pathway and may serve to facilitate complex object recognition.

Measuring Absolute Membrane Potential Across Space and Time

Membrane potential (Vmem) is a fundamental biophysical signal present in all cells. Vmem signals range in time from milliseconds to days, and they span lengths from microns to centimeters. Vmem affects many cellular processes, ranging from neurotransmitter release to cell cycle control to tissue patterning. However, existing tools are not suitable for Vmem quantification in many of these areas. In this review, we outline the diverse biology of Vmem, drafting a wish list of features for a Vmem sensing platform. We then use these guidelines to discuss electrode-based and optical platforms for interrogating Vmem. On the one hand, electrode-based strategies exhibit excellent quantification but are most effective in short-term, cellular recordings. On the other hand, optical strategies provide easier access to diverse samples but generally only detect relative changes in Vmem. By combining the respective strengths of these technologies, recent advances in optical quantification of absolute Vmem enable new inquiries into Vmem biology.