The Neuronal Oscillations Group is using a wide range of methods and through various collaborations helps develop new techniques.
Electrophysiology
About half of our laboratory uses extracellular field and multielectrode array recordings to study plasticity and network oscillations in populations of neurons.
The other half of the group employs the patch-clamp technique for advanced studies at the single neuron level.
Furthermore, we use dynamic and conductance clamp methods to simulate network activity and to unravel the contribution of select ion channels to the integrative properties of neurons, respectively.
Uncaging
Our laboratory employs UV uncaging of glutamate to study integrative properties of neurons at the sub-cellular level. In addition, Michael coordinates the NOGs involvement in developing new uncaging compounds in collaboration with the Anderson Group in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oxford.
Imaging
The lab is equipped with the latest confocal and two-photon imaging set-ups. We are using functional Calcium imaging to study network properties and map cortical inputs.
Furthermore, we are working with the Anderson Group on novel voltage sensitive membrane dyes and the Wilson Lab on the development of a new 3D two-photon microscopy with near-isotropic scan rates for functional imaging of neuronal network activity. The NOG contribution to these projects is lead by Michael.
Optogenetic approaches
In collaboration with the Deisseroth Lab we employ light-sensitive ion channels and pumps to achieve region and cell-type specific control of neuronal activity.
Most of our research is now using this technology to study input specific plasticity and the contribution of specific types of neurons to circuit dynamics and oscillations.