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Holographic photolysis of caged neurotransmitters| old_uid | 4054 |
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| title | Holographic photolysis of caged neurotransmitters |
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| start_date | 2008/02/11 |
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| schedule | 16h15 |
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| online | no |
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| summary | The ideal optical microscope for biological research should permit mimicking a single event on the molecular spatial-scale and, at the same time, exciting an extensive cell population to account for the intricate signaling pathways occurring in living matter. Moreover, the heterogeneity in the biological samples makes it difficult to universally define an optimal lateral and axial dimension for the excitation spot(s) but ideally these parameters should be adapted for each experiment. Modifying the excitation light pattern requires to correspondingly adjust the external optical path. In traditional optical systems this is achieved by the use of lenses, curved mirrors, gratings etc. In contrast, with the use of a spatial light modulators
(SLM) light from a laser beam can be dynamically redistributed by locally introduce a controlled modulation of its phase and/or amplitude.
In this contribution I will show that the implementation of a SLM in the design of a set up for photolysis allows disposing of an extremely flexible system where both classical and complicated patterns of illumination can be produced. I will show how the system allows generating excitation spots of variable size, multiple spots
simultaneously organized in two- or tri- dimensional patterns and spots shaped to precisely match fine cellular processes. As a proof of principle for this new experimental approach, we performed functional mapping of different types of neuronal cells by combining holographic photolysis and electrophysiology recording in brain slices. |
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| responsibles | van Vreeswijk, Hansel |
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