Objective: Enable simultaneous optical readout and manipulation of activity in neural circuits with single-neuron and single-action-potential precision.
Why it works: The approach combines genetically encoded activity sensors, optogenetic actuators, and advanced microscopies so that the same neurons can be both read out and manipulated using light, provided the components are sensitive enough and sufficiently cross talk free.
Priority logic: The paper emphasizes combining components that are sufficiently sensitive and cross talk free so simultaneous readout and manipulation can be achieved in the same genetically defined cells.
Validation strategy: The abstract frames success as achieving single-action-potential sensitivity and precision for both readout and manipulation in the intact brain.
Target properties: single-action-potential sensitivity, single-neuron precision, simultaneous readout and manipulation, low optical cross talk
Target mechanisms: optical detection of neural activity, optical control of neural activity, coexpression of sensors and actuators in the same neurons
Target techniques: genetic encoding of activity sensors, optogenetic actuation, advanced microscopy, simultaneous optical targeting and recording