FPGG008 - New voltage sensitive dyes for in vivo functional imaging of cortical activity
In this project, we propose to develop new voltage probes for in vivo imaging of cortical activity. Our principal objectives will be to establish the best pathway for the synthesis of new dyes, improve the signal amplitude (to get better signal to noise ratio) and the stability of the signal (to increase the duration of the recordings). Most importantly we will aim at improving the staining procedure by designing molecules that can cross the blood brain barrier (to allow a staining via the intravenous route and thus prevent damages caused by removal of the skull) or accumulate and diffuse in the membrane far from the site of injection (like classical hydrophobic tracer dyes). The biological signal will be studied in the sensory pathway of the rodent vibrissae. The signals obtained with the newly synthesized dyes will be compared to the one obtained with a commercially available dye. Recordings will be performed in the neocortex, where this signal has been amply documented, and then the performance of the dyes will be probed in the cerebellum, another brain structure involved in the somatosensory processing.
Organic Chemistry Laboratory - ESPCI
Main Activity : Chemistry
Stellios Arseniyadis
Diversity and Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory - ESPCI
Main Activity : Biology
Jean Rossier
Neurobiology Laboratory/Cerebellum Team - ENS
Main Activity : Biology
Clément Lena
Neurobiology Laboratory/Inhibitory Transmission Team - ENS
Main Activity : Biology
Stéphane Dieudonné