CSM Optogenetics Platform
Light-based molecular tools to visualize and manipulate the brain in animal models.
Mission
The CSM Optogenetics Platform’s goal is to offer an array of equipment and facilities for the combined use of optogenetic stimulation, fiber photometry, and head-mounted miniscopes, with behavioural testing in mice and rats.
Access
Principle Investigators are required to sign a service agreement. Access to our booking system and card access to the facility is given after users receive an orientation.
Contact
Staff scientists, facility specialists, and management involved in the daily operations.
Publications
Our platform facilitates research that ends up in peer-reviewed journals. Check-out the most recent publications.
Equipment and fees
Hourly rates are applied according to the equipment/room used up to a yearly cap.
Resources
Useful resources including optogenetics and data analysis presentations and tutorials
Open Neuroscience - Innovative Research Tools
Our team is actively involved in research and developing innovative solutions for data processing and analysis, in addition to developing customized and integrated hardware/software solutions not found commercially.
Gait Analysis
Crowdsource annotation tools
EMG and fiber-photometry analysis pipeline
DAQ synchronization
Homecage wheel
Walkway apparatus
Custom-made solutions
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Enrichment chamber
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Operand conditioning chamber for mice
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Automated Catwalk-like apparatus
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Lower body negative pressure chamber for mice, rats, and mini pigs.
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An analysis toolbox for fiber-photometry and miniscope recordings
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Visual gait lab
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LoTRA analysis toolbox
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Lick meter
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Hole board apparatus, dark-light box, elevated plus maze, y-maze, l-maze, open field box
Plugins, macros, others
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ImageJ/FIJI StackRoi: Automatic duplication of ROIs in a image stack.
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WholeBrain WholeBrainSorter: Master spreadsheet with cell counts from all brain regions.
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Deeplabcut: Segmentation of behavioral data (soon).
Workshop tools
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3D printers
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CO2 laser cutting machine
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Rotary tool kit
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Soldering station
Workshop micro-controllers and sensors
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Arduino
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Raspberry Pi
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Nordic semiconductor
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High-speed cameras, thermal camera, accelerometer, etc.
Learning Resources
MATLAB tutorials
MATLAB video tutorials for the purposes of looking at neural dynamics using imaging techniques such as fibre-photometry and miniscope recordings, both of which CSMOpto CORE has available for you.
Optogenetic techniques
Here's a link to SfN’s Optogenetics Training Series for those of you interested in advancing your understanding of how to optimize optogenetic techniques in your research.
