Record the Activity of Genetically Identified Neurons Using Calcium Imaging

Principal Investigator: Xin Huang, associate professor of neuroscience

Co-Principal Investigators:

Jon Levine, professor of neuroscience and director of the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center

Luis Populin, professor of neuroscience

Ari Rosenberg, associate professor of neuroscience

Aaron Suminski, senior scientist in nuerological surgery

Ei, Terasawa-Grilley, professor of pediatrics and affiliate Wisconsin National Primate Research Center

Co-Investigators:

Kip Ludwig, associate professor of biomedical engineering and neurological surgery

Xinyu Zhao, professor of neuroscience and affiliate Waisman Center

Progress in the quest for understanding the workings of the brain has been closely tied to the development of new technologies. We are at the dawn of a new era defined by the use of genetic-based tools. Today, neuroscience research on basic brain functions and mechanisms related to neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders urgently needs new tools to study neurons of specific cell types and connection patterns.

This project will establish innovative genetic-based methods to record the activity of large populations of neurons of specific types and connection patterns in the brain of non-human primates (NHPs), using calcium imaging. Some of these tools have been developed using rodents. Developing these methods using NHPs is important and timely due to their evolutional similarity with humans and translational values. This project will have a broad impact on the research community and help UW–Madison be at the forefront of neuroscience research.