Visualization and neuronal cell targeting during electrophysiological recordings facilitated by quantum dots.

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Proceedings of SPIE. 2015 Mar 10;9305:9305Y. doi: 10.1117/12.2076934

Visualization and neuronal cell targeting during electrophysiological recordings facilitated by quantum dots. Harris Lab

Field LD, Andrasfalvy BK, Galiñanes GL, Huber D, Barbic M, Macklin JJ, Susumu K, Delehanty JB, Huston AL, Makara JK, Medintz IL

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Abstract

The simultaneous visualization, identification and targeting of neurons during patch clamp-mediated electrophysiological recordings is a basic technique in neuroscience, yet it is often complicated by the inability to visualize the pipette tip, particularly in deep brain tissue. Here we demonstrate a novel approach in which fluorescent quantum dot probes are used to coat pipettes prior to their use. The strong two-photon absorption cross sections of the quantum dots afford robust contrast at significantly deeper penetration depths than current methods allow. We demonstrate the utility of this technique in multiple recording formats both in vitro and in vivo where imaging of the pipettes is achieved at remarkable depths (up to 800 microns). Notably, minimal perturbation of cellular physiology is observed over the hours-long time course of neuronal recordings. We discuss our results within the context of the role that quantum dot nanoprobes may play in understanding neuronal cell physiology.

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Visualization and neuronal cell targeting during electrophysiological recordings facilitated by quantum dots.

Abstract

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