The Rising Role of Lasers, Optogenetics, and Other Functional Probes in Neuroscience

Multiphoton imaging is 30 years old and brimming with new technologies and application trends. Its largest user group is represented by the neuroscience community. Here, the synergy of an ever-growing palette of genetically encoded functional probes — optogenetics, genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs), and genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) — newer imaging techniques, and advancements in compact and high-power fiber laser technology is enabling studies of thousands of neurons in real time.

Arrigoni describes the advancements that support this work and places them in context by providing specific examples of new applications in neuroscience research.

About the presenter
Marco Arrigoni received his MSEE from Politecnico di Milano in 1984 where he majored in lasers and joined Coherent as R&D laser engineer. In 1995, he took the position of market development manager for Coherent in Asia, subsequently managing Coherent Asian operations from the Tokyo office. Upon his return to California in 2000 he worked in several different positions in sales and marketing management. In 2007, he took his current position of Director of Strategic Marketing. Marco holds patents related to design and applications of lasers and authored peer-review and technical magazines publications on laser technology and applications to space communication, spectroscopy and non-linear microscopy.