title: A reconfigurable visual-programming library for real-time closed-loop cellular electrophysiology.
abstract: Most of the software platforms for cellular electrophysiology are limited in terms of flexibility, hardware support, ease of use, or re-configuration and adaptation for non-expert users. Moreover, advanced experimental protocols requiring real-time closed-loop operation to investigate excitability, plasticity, dynamics, are largely inaccessible to users without moderate to substantial computer proficiency. Here we present an approach based on MATLAB/Simulink, exploiting the benefits of LEGO-like visual programming and configuration, combined to a small, but easily extendible library of functional software components. We provide and validate several examples, implementing conventional and more sophisticated experimental protocols such as dynamic-clamp or the combined use of intracellular and extracellular methods, involving closed-loop real-time control. The functionality of each of these examples is demonstrated with relevant experiments. These can be used as a starting point to create and support a larger variety of electrophysiological tools and methods, hopefully extending the range of default techniques and protocols currently employed in experimental labs across the world.
authors.affiliation: Theoretical Neurobiology and Neuroengineering, University of Antwerp Antwerpen, Belgium.
authors.forename: István
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Biró
authors.affiliation: Theoretical Neurobiology and Neuroengineering, University of Antwerp Antwerpen, Belgium ; Department of Computer Science, University of Sheffield Sheffield, UK ; Laboratory for Neural Microcircuitry, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giugliano
keywords: active electrode compensation; cellular neurobiology; closed loop; dynamic clamp; electrophysiology; experimental control; extracellular stimulation; response clamp