Experimental Tools
Embedded Files
High Speed Confocal Microscope
We have a microscope optimized for high-resolution, functional whole-brain imaging of C. elegans. Integrated with advanced perfusion and microfluidic systems, it allows precise delivery of almost any odorant or chemical stimulus. This allows us to monitor real-time neuronal dynamics across the entire brain in response to complex sensory inputs with high spatiotemporal resolution.
Single Worm Tracker
The OpenAutoScope is a versatile tracking platform designed for the high-magnification observation of freely moving C. elegans. It features a tracking stage that maintains the animal within the field of view, allowing for continuous behavioral tracking across various objectives. Beyond locomotion, the system is capable of simultaneous calcium imaging or optogenetic stimulation, providing a direct link between specific neuronal activity and behavior in real-time.
Multi-Worm Tracker
The Multi-Worm Tracker is a high-throughput system capable of simultaneously recording and analyzing the behavior of large populations of C. elegans. A computer provides quantitative behavioral profiling—including velocity, reversal frequency, and habituation—at the level of individuals or groups.
Microfluidic Chemotaxis System
This system enhances traditional chemotaxis assays by incorporating microfluidics to create controlled, reproducible chemical landscapes. By recording the navigation patterns of worms within these micro-environments, the system allows for the quantitative analysis of sensory preferences and decision-making processes.
Data & Software Platforms
Versatile Multiple Object Tracking
Zephir is a high-performance tracking framework implemented in our pipeline to extract precise functional signals from complex volumetric imaging data. By integrating image registration with iterative optimization, the system robustly maintains the identity of hundreds of individual neurons within the deforming body of C. elegans during whole-brain imaging. This capability allows for the high-fidelity mapping of neuronal activity traces, facilitating a seamless transition from raw optical data to single-cell functional profiling. Beyond its primary application in neuroimaging, Zephir’s versatile architecture is readily adaptable for tracking a broad range of biological targets and morphological features, supporting a diverse array of quantitative behavioral and cellular analyses.
Brain-Wide Neural Activity Data
This website provides an interactive platform for exploring the Whole-Brain Chemosensory Responses of C. elegans. It bridges the gap between neural anatomy and functional activity, offering a comprehensive look at how sensory inputs are processed across the entire brain to shape sex-specific behaviors.
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