The Optoclamp is a technique developed in the Potter lab of Georgia Tech, as part of Jon Newman‘s PhD thesis. The technique refines optogenetic approaches of neural stimulation through the use of ultra-precise high power LEDs, which are driven by real-time closed-loop software that allows light levels to react to neural activity. The project was funded by NIH Grant number 1R01NS079757 from NINDS.
Papers:
- Showcasing the uses and performance of the technique: Newman, Jonathan P., et al. “Optogenetic feedback control of neural activity.”eLife, 4 (2015): e07192.
- Using the optoclamp to disentangle firing rate from neurotransmission: Fong, Ming-fai, et al. “Upward synaptic scaling is dependent on neurotransmission rather than spiking.” Nature communications, 6 (2015).
- Describing the feed-forward characteristics of precise optogenetic stimulation: Tchumatchenko, T., Newman, J. P., Fong, M. F., & Potter, S. M. (2013). Delivery of continuously-varying stimuli using channelrhodopsin-2. Frontiers in neural circuits, 7.
- Describing the software developments in the NeuroRighter electrophysiology system that enabled the optoclamp: Newman, J. P., Zeller-Townson, R., Fong, M. F., Desai, S. A., Gross, R. E., & Potter, S. M. (2012). Closed-loop, multichannel experimentation using the open-source NeuroRighter electrophysiology platform. Frontiers in neural circuits, 6.
Links:
- Press release on the optoclamp project
- NeuroRighter software used in the development of the optoclamp project
- Latest versions of the Cyclops LED driver used in the project, now part of the open-ephys project
- The Potter Lab
- Jon Newman