The Neural Population Imaging Group focuses on understanding the principles underlying spatial & temporal organization of neuronal activity during decision making and object perception in behaving rodents.

As cortical neurons do not work in isolation, but are embedded in highly interconnected neuronal networks that are thought to encode sensory input, we use multiple optical methods, based around the two-photon excitation principle, to record activity simultaneously from populations of neurons in the awake and behaving animals. In addition we also use a combination of targeted electrophysiology and imaging to map out neuronal processes and measure functional changes at synapses.

While the neuronal basis of certain behaviors and sensory modalities can be studied under anesthesia or head-fixation, the full gamut of neural activity and its functions is accessible only in awake unrestrained animal. To this end we have developed a head-mounted miniaturized multiphoton microscope which allows imaging of activity from neuronal populations and substructures in freely behaving animals.

At this stage the research is mainly focused on neuronal circuits in the primary sensory areas of the cortex.