Experimental Techniques

SUPER-RESOLUTION STED MICROSCOPY

Most of our projects hinge on super-resolution STED microscopy. STED microscopy allows imaging of the smallest neuronal structures, including dendritic spines, axons, and the individual ducts of the brain extracellular space. We use a custom-built STED microscope to image live mouse brain slices, including super-resolution shadow imaging (SUSHI) to image the entire neuropil in the field of view. The powerful microscope is modular, and continuously upgraded to allow more elaborate imaging.

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY

Another of our core techniques is whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, which allows us to obtain advanced functional information from individual neural cells in acute or cultured brain slices. We also perform electrophysiological field-potential recordings to measure population scale activity, and we can do this concurrently with whole-cell recordings on our two-channel setup. Our core setup uses a HEKA EPC10 double amplifier and is based around a MCI CleverScope setup with dual CleverArm manipulators. Our electrophysiology is equipped with LEDs for epifluorescence visualization of fluorescent cells, and these LEDs are controllable via TTL pulses to also utilize them for optogenetics.

TWO-PHOTON MICROSCOPY

For live-cell 2-photon microscopy we have access to the core facility microscopes both for acute brain slice work. These allow not only imaging of dynamic morphologies in 3D, but also visualization of functional processes, such as calcium signaling. 

We do conventional 2-photon microscopy, as well a 2-photon shadow imaging (2-SHI) of the neuropil, for example to evaluate extracellular space volume changes over time.

ADDITIONAL TECHNIQUES

Our work relies of an array of complementary techniques, including cell culturing, stereotaxic injections immunohistochemistry, genetic transfections and more.