Transforming brain recordings with next-generation probes

Thanks to the Wellcome Trust and other leading international institutions, we have developed and proved the viability of a new generation of recording probes that will transform electrophysiology. These “Neuropixels” probes transcend past approaches, recording hundreds to thousands of neurons simultaneously. Several key steps are now necessary to maximize the impact of this new technology, enabling its widespread use in the neuroscience community. We must develop radically new recording equipment and software, provide training, and build a collaborative community of users (Aim 1). To allow this community to fully exploit the potential of this technology, we must extend it to a larger range of applications: multi-shank probes, wireless recording for freely moving animals, and optrodes for use with optogenetics (Aim 2). Meanwhile, we will obtain ground-truth data to calibrate error rates, and begin the development of a tool to automatically identify brain regions based on electrophysiological characteristics (Aim 3). This project integrates software and hardware engineering, fabrication efforts, neurophysiology tests, and behavioral and anatomical techniques. It thus requires a collaboration between laboratories with different skill sets, and a unique nanoelectronics research partner, IMEC. The results of this collaboration will transform the field of neuroscience.