Technical Report abstract


Nature Neuroscience 11, 713 - 720 (2008)
Published online: 27 April 2008 | doi:10.1038/nn.2116

Three-dimensional random access multiphoton microscopy for functional imaging of neuronal activity

Gaddum Duemani Reddy1,2, Keith Kelleher3, Rudy Fink2 & Peter Saggau1,2

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The dynamic ability of neuronal dendrites to shape and integrate synaptic responses is the hallmark of information processing in the brain. Effectively studying this phenomenon requires concurrent measurements at multiple sites on live neurons. Substantial progress has been made by optical imaging systems that combine confocal and multiphoton microscopy with inertia-free laser scanning. However, all of the systems developed so far restrict fast imaging to two dimensions. This severely limits the extent to which neurons can be studied, as they represent complex three-dimensional structures. Here we present a new imaging system that utilizes a unique arrangement of acousto-optic deflectors to steer a focused, ultra-fast laser beam to arbitrary locations in three-dimensional space without moving the objective lens. As we demonstrate, this highly versatile random-access multiphoton microscope supports functional imaging of complex three-dimensional cellular structures such as neuronal dendrites or neural populations at acquisition rates on the order of tens of kilohertz.

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  1. Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Suite 116 Keck Hall, Houston, Texas 77005, USA.
  2. Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza S730, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
  3. Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun Road, Houston, Texas 77004, USA.

Correspondence to: Peter Saggau1,2 e-mail: psaggau@bcm.edu



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