Calcium neuroimaging in behaving zebrafish larvae using a turn-key light field camera

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biophysics
• Microscopy

Background:

• Capturing fast cellular dynamics requires high temporal resolution imaging.
• Scanning-based microscopy methods face limitations in speed for dynamic biological processes.
• Light field (plenoptic) imaging offers a scanless approach for 3D scene reconstruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of commercial light field cameras in fluorescence microscopy.
• To assess their utility for monitoring neural activity and behavior in vivo.
• To determine their potential as an alternative to custom-built systems for cellular imaging.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a fluorescence microscopy setup with commercial light field cameras.
• Imaged calcium activity in the brains of awake, behaving zebrafish larvae.
• Stimulated zebrafish with an aversive odorant to elicit responses.
• Simultaneously recorded neuronal activity and behavioral responses.

Main Results:

• The light field imaging system achieved volumetric resolution of neuronal responses.
• Diverse neuronal activity profiles were observed throughout the zebrafish brain.
• Simultaneous capture of behavioral and depth-resolved neural data was successful.
• Commercial light field cameras showed promise for fluorescence microscopy applications.

Conclusions:

• Commercial light field cameras are a viable tool for scanless 3D imaging in neuroscience.
• This technology can capture fast cellular processes and in vivo behavior.
• Optimized light field microscopy can accelerate research in cellular dynamics and molecular imaging.