Neurons communicate with each other through short (~1ms) electrical pulses. To study this neural code, we have developed a system for large-scale imaging of neural activity. This “Neural Readout System” allows the simultaneous recording of electrical signals from hundreds of neurons. The implementation of this system is based on the silicon microstrip detector technology and expertise we have pioneered and developed in SCIPP to study short-lived particles and CP violation, and to search for the Higgs Boson, in high energy physics experiments.
Our unique 512-channel Neural Readout Systems are used in multiple laboratories to conduct advanced neuroscience research. We continue to develop neural recording techniques by increasing the number of channels, and incorporating optical readout methods of neural activity.