| Summary: | We wish to understand how neural systems store, recall, and process information. We are using cultured networks of cortical neurons grown on microelectrode arrays as a model system for studying the emergent properties of ensembles of living neurons. We have developed a 2-way communication interface between the cultured network and a computer- generated animal, the Neurally Controlled Animat. Neural activity is used to control the behavior of the Animat, and 2- photon time-lapse imaging is carried out in order to observe the morphological changes that might underlie changes in neural processing. The 2-photon microscope is ideal for repeated imaging over hours or days, with submicron resolution and little photodamage. We have designed a computer-controlled microscope stage that allows imaging several locations in sequence, in order to collect more image data. © 2001 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). This work was funded in part by an R01 grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NS38628, and by the Beckman Foundation. We thank Profs. Scott E. Fraser and Jerome Pine for additional support, guidance, equipment, and lab space. We thank Tom DeMarse, Axel Blau, Daniel Wagenaar, Sam Thompson, Peter Meilstrup, Gray Rybka, Mike Atkin, Andrew Barajas, Sheri McKinney, and Sami Barghshoon for their efforts in the creation of the Neurally Controlled Animat. We thank Eric Murphy, Alan Waring, Sherry Haynes, Phil Felgner and Mary Dickinson for development and testing of the liposome-based gene delivery system. Published - 104.pdf
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