Researchers have developed a lightweight microscope, similar in weight to a penny, that allows them to observe large regions of a mouse’s brain while the mouse is moving and exploring its surroundings.
Nature Biomedical Engineering recently published a study unveiling this innovative microscope. The device provides high-resolution imaging of brain activity in mice engaged in natural behaviors like social interactions and prey capture, offering insights into how distributed neuroactivity in the brain relates to behavior.
Shrinking Technology for Mice
Standard head-mounted microscopes are suitable for larger mammals, and even rats can carry devices weighing around 20 grams. However, mice, essential for brain research, require microscopes weighing less than three grams to be mounted on their heads.
Previous attempts to create lightweight microscopes for mice focused on reducing the weight of existing technologies. However, Alipasha Vaziri took a different approach by designing a lens-less system using diffractive optical elements (DOEs) to manipulate light waves. This innovative strategy eliminates the need for heavy lenses and allows for a compact and lightweight design.
Revolutionizing Microscopy with DOEs
DOEs use microstructures to control light through diffraction, providing a new way to map points in space without relying on traditional lenses. By leveraging computational methods to reconstruct images, the microscope developed by the Vaziri lab can capture wide sections of the mouse brain with high resolution, depth, and speed.
The miniaturized microscope weighs only 2.5 grams and is designed for ease of replication using 3D printing or affordable cell phone camera components. Future improvements may include wireless data transmission and enhanced capabilities to observe deeper brain regions.
While this system may have some limitations compared to larger microscopes, Vaziri believes it represents a significant advancement in microscopy driven by innovative thinking and a willingness to challenge traditional constraints.
