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Updated: Apr 6, 2026
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Imaging Membrane Potential with Two Types of Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Voltage Sensors
Published on: February 4, 2016
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Historical Overview and General Methods of Membrane Potential Imaging
Oliver Braubach1, Lawrence B Cohen, Yunsook Choi
1Center for Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 136-791, Korea.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|August 5, 2015
Summary
Voltage imaging technology has advanced significantly, enabling precise action potential measurements in single neurons. Future genetically encoded sensors promise cell-specific voltage recording for neuroscience research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biophysics
Background:
- Voltage imaging, developed since the 1960s, uses voltage-sensitive dyes to optically record electrical activity.
- Early methods struggled with single-trial action potential detection in large neurons.
Observation:
- Significant improvements in light sources (arc lamp, LED, laser) enhance stability, power, and cost-effectiveness.
- High-speed cameras ( >1 kHz frame rates) with high quantum efficiencies are now available, though costly.
- Understanding of noise sources in optical recordings has improved.
Findings:
- Modern voltage imaging allows for action potential measurement in individual neuronal spines.
- Advances in recording apparatus components optimize signal-to-noise ratio.
Implications:
- Genetically encoded voltage sensors are emerging, offering cell-type specific expression and recording capabilities.
- These advancements facilitate detailed studies of neuronal electrical activity across diverse biological preparations.
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