title: An image-free opto-mechanical system for creating virtual environments and imaging neuronal activity in freely moving Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: Non-invasive recording in untethered animals is arguably the ultimate step in the analysis of neuronal function, but such recordings remain elusive. To address this problem, we devised a system that tracks neuron-sized fluorescent targets in real time. The system can be used to create virtual environments by optogenetic activation of sensory neurons, or to image activity in identified neurons at high magnification. By recording activity in neurons of freely moving C. elegans, we tested the long-standing hypothesis that forward and reverse locomotion are generated by distinct neuronal circuits. Surprisingly, we found motor neurons that are active during both types of locomotion, suggesting a new model of locomotion control in C. elegans. These results emphasize the importance of recording neuronal activity in freely moving animals and significantly expand the potential of imaging techniques by providing a mean to stabilize fluorescent targets.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America.
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Faumont
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rondeau
authors.forename: Tod R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Thiele
authors.forename: Kristy J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Lawton
authors.forename: Kathryn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sottile
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Griesbeck
authors.forename: Ellie S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Heckscher
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Chris Q
authors.initials: CQ
authors.lastname: Doe
authors.forename: Shawn R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lockery
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000737:chemistry; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000494:pharmacology; D008124:Locomotion; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009068:Movement; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D009995:Osmosis; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D002118:Calcium