This proposal is submitted in response to the NIH Exploratory Bioengineering Research grants program. The proposal develops a technology platform that will enable the parallel measurement of intracellular dynamics from ensembles of neurons in cortical circuits in awake, behaving rodents in a fully automated fashion. We will develop a novel, high-density, multichannel whole-cell patch-clamping platform that is guided by recently developed algorithms that enable automated intracellular recordings in vivo. The three Specific Aims provide for a systematic development of the proposed technologies and application to an urgent systems neuroscience question.
AIM 1 develops the surgical methodology, electrode localization strategies and custom skeletal implants for to distribute robotic patch clamping electrodes to the requisite targets in the cortex.
AIM 2 develops the parallel patch-clamp robot itself as well as the algorithms to control dense arrays of intracellular recording electrodes.
AIM 3 will utilize the functionally characterized platform to obtain parallel whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in behaving mice within and across different lamina and circuits in a cortical association area. This project is well suited to the goals of bioengineering research program ? we are using a multidisciplinary approach to develop a robotic platform that removes a critical barrier for studying neuronal circuit functioning with a high degree of cell and circuit specificity during behavior. The successful development of this technology platform will empower neuroscientists to map the activities of neurons in specific circuits throughout the nervous system, enabling a mechanistic understanding of how circuits function in behaviors, and reveal how cells and circuits go awry in pathological states.

Public Health Relevance

This proposal develops a new technology platform that will enable parallel measurement of intracellular dynamics from neuronal ensembles in cortical circuits of behaving mice. The successful implementation of these tools will open new doors for high resolution mapping of the dynamics of different cell types within and across brain circuits, enabling mechanistic dissection of how single neurons contribute to network function during behavior and this process goes awry in neurological and psychiatric disease states. !

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21NS103098-02
Application #
9522155
Study Section
Bioengineering of Neuroscience, Vision and Low Vision Technologies Study Section (BNVT)
Program Officer
Langhals, Nick B
Project Start
2017-07-15
Project End
2019-06-30
Budget Start
2018-07-01
Budget End
2019-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Engineering (All Types)
Type
Biomed Engr/Col Engr/Engr Sta
DUNS #
555917996
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455
Kodandaramaiah, Suhasa B; Flores, Francisco J; Holst, Gregory L et al. (2018) Multi-neuron intracellular recording in vivo via interacting autopatching robots. Elife 7:
Singer, Annabelle C; Talei Franzesi, Giovanni; Kodandaramaiah, Suhasa B et al. (2017) Mesoscale-duration activated states gate spiking in response to fast rises in membrane voltage in the awake brain. J Neurophysiol 118:1270-1291
Grossman, Nir; Bono, David; Dedic, Nina et al. (2017) Noninvasive Deep Brain Stimulation via Temporally Interfering Electric Fields. Cell 169:1029-1041.e16