title: A stereo-compound hybrid microscope for combined intracellular and optical recording of invertebrate neural network activity.
abstract: Optical recording studies of invertebrate neural networks with voltage-sensitive dyes seldom employ conventional intracellular electrodes. This may in part be due to the traditional reliance on compound microscopes for such work. While such microscopes have high light-gathering power, they do not provide depth of field, making working with sharp electrodes difficult. Here we describe a hybrid microscope design, with switchable compound and stereo objectives, that eases the use of conventional intracellular electrodes in optical recording experiments. We use it, in combination with a voltage-sensitive dye and photodiode array, to identify neurons participating in the swim motor program of the marine mollusk Tritonia. This microscope design should be applicable to optical recording studies in many preparations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA. william.frost@rosalindfranklin.edu
authors.forename: William N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Brandon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004566:Electrodes; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D049871:Tritonia Sea Slug / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology