Optogenetics and Neuromodulation Research Core

Optogenetics and Neuromodulation

Our mission is to provide cost-effective solutions and assistance for implementing cutting-edge optogenetic technology in neuroscience research to improve research quality and promote scientific discovery. Our facilities are located in the Biomedical Discovery District (MTARF, WMBB, and CCRB) and in Jackson Hall. We offer access to equipment, tools, and reagents needed for optic fiber implant manufacturing, stereotaxic surgery, behavioral testing, and histology. We also offer a variety of equipment that can be used outside of the core by investigators within their lab.

We are dedicated to the scientific and technological advancement of preclinical neuromodulation research. Our goal is to lower the barrier-for-entry for labs interested in using optogenetic or chemogenetic approaches to investigate both central and peripheral nervous system function. We offer the following services:

Academic assistance: Including assistance with developing and submitting protocols (e.g., IACUC/IBC/MTA), experimental design, literature review, and grant and experimental approach development.

Technical assistance: Including in lab equipment set-up, customized set-up of core equipment for behavioral testing, customized light-delivery systems, troubleshooting hardware/software issues, and data collection and analysis services including conducting surgical, physiological, behavioral, and/or histological procedures.

Technical training: Techniques include optical fiber implant manufacturing, stereotaxic surgery for viral infusions and optical fiber implantation, behavioral testing paradigms, perfusions, tissue slicing and mounting, and imaging procedures.

Resource Access: Including equipment and tools needed for optogenetic experiments, optic fiber implant manufacturing, stereotaxic surgery, local or remote-site behavioral testing, and histology.

What is optogenetics?

Optogenetics is a biological technique that uses light to control neurons that have been genetically modified to express light-sensitive ion channels. This allows researchers to precisely activate or inhibit specific neurons in living animals using light (typically via implanted optical fibers).

How it works: Specific genes coding for light-sensitive proteins (e.g., channelrhodopsins) are inserted into targeted brain cells. When these cells are exposed to certain wavelengths of light, they respond by firing (activating) or silencing.
Applications: Neuroscience research, mapping brain circuits, studying behavior, and potentially treating disorders like Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and blindness.
Key feature: Offers millisecond-level precision in controlling individual neurons.

What is optogenetics with neuromodulation?

Optogenetics with neuromodulation refers to the integration of optogenetic techniques into the broader practice of neuromodulation—using light to precisely control the activity of genetically modified neurons for the purpose of modulating neural circuits and influencing behavior or physiological processes.

Key Points:

Optogenetics becomes a form of neuromodulation when it is used to alter neural activity (excite or inhibit neurons) in a controlled way to influence a biological outcome, such as reducing seizures or correcting movement disorders.
Unlike traditional neuromodulation methods (e.g., electrical stimulation), optogenetics:
- Targets specific cell types (due to genetic modification)
- Offers high spatial and temporal precision
- Uses light instead of electricity or magnets

Applications:

Research: Mapping brain circuits, studying disease mechanisms
Potential therapies: Experimental treatments for epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and retinal disorders

Example:

In a Parkinson’s disease model, optogenetics might be used to selectively activate inhibitory neurons in a motor circuit to restore balance—providing more refined control than electrical deep brain stimulation (DBS), which affects all nearby cells indiscriminately.

In summary, optogenetics with neuromodulation refers to a cutting-edge, light-based strategy within neuromodulation that enables unparalleled precision in controlling brain activity, however; this approach is still in the early animal stages of research and not used in human subjects yet.

Equipment and Services

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Equipment and Services

Equipment & Resources

Dual-arm stereotaxes (Koph Instruments) and surgical tools for fiber implantation
Multiple light sources including lasers (473 nm, 630 nm), LEDs (465, 525, 550, 620, and 630 nm), and LED arrays (465 nm, for cell culture)
Light meters (ThorLabs)
Pattern generators including Radiant (Plexon), PulsePal (Open Ephys), and Arduino
Intensity Drivers (ThorLabs)
Patch cables including a variety of connections (SMA-FC, FC-FC, FC-LC, LC-LC) and numerical apertures (0.22, 0.39, 0.50, 0.66 NA)
Various bare optical fibers, ceramic ferrules, and fiber cutting/polishing/inspection/assembly tools
Optical and electrical commutators
Wireless optogenetic options (Plexon, Neurolux)
Form2 resin-based 3D printer (Form Labs)
8 adaptable behavior testing units with ANY-maze video tracking software (Stoelting Co.)

Technical Services

Access to a wide variety of optogenetic equipment and supplies
Optogenetic equipment set-up and integration with other technical approaches
Assist with development/fabrication of custom-made equipment and light delivery devices
Grant development and experiment planning
Technical protocol assistance and development
Assistance with technical troubleshooting
Pilot testing for grant submissions: includes assistance with fiber-making, stereotaxic surgery, and behavioral testing
Regulatory Assistance (SPA/MTA, IACUC, IBC, etc.)
3D printing

Training Services

Optic fiber fabrication
DIY equipment fabrication and set-up
Stereotaxic surgery: viral infusion, optical fiber implantation
Other surgery: jugular vein catheterization, intracranial/peripheral cannula/device implantation
Histology: Perfusions, Microtomb Brain Slicing, Slice Mounting, Slide Visualization with Epifluorescent Microscope
Behavior: Optogenetic approaches for behavioral testing including self-stimulation, real time and conditioned place preference assays, open field, novel object recognition, Y/T-maze, elevated plus maze, social interaction, and gait analysis.

Additional training can be provided through the University of Minnesota Behavioral Core

Opto & Neuromod Photos

Opto News

Welcome our newest member to the team, Flaminio (Sam) Glaubitz!

We are thrilled to welcome Flaminio (Sam) Glaubitz to the MnDRIVE Optogenetics and Neuromodulation Research Core at the University of Minnesota! Sam joined us in February 2025 as our new Preclinical Researcher, bringing his expertise and enthusiasm to our dynamic team.

With a passion for advancing preclinical research in optogenetics and neuromodulation, Sam will play a key role in driving innovative discoveries and supporting groundbreaking studies within our core. We are excited for the contributions he will make and look forward to collaborating with him.

Learn more about Sam here

Check out our MnDRIVE Optogenetics & Neuromodulation Research Core! Dr. Erin Lind made an informative video in honor of Brain Awareness Week, which highlights what the core is, the services they provide & explains what optogenetics is as well as what conditions it can treat.

Watch on our new channel

Optogenetics and Neuromodulation Research Core