Multipoint optogenetic control of neural activity with tapered and nanostructured optical fibers

The combination of genetics and optics for simultaneous control and monitor of neural activity has recently represented a revolution for the investigation of functional connectivity in the living mammalian brain, since it allows to identify the role of specific classes of neurons within specific neural circuits. At the same time, there is the widespread agreement that, for this technique to be successful, new methods and technologies for better matching with the incredibly complex topology of brain networks are needed. In this work we review our recent approach for multisite light delivery in the mouse brain [1], allowing the stimulation of selected portions of neural tissue along the edge of a minimally invasive, nanostructured and gold coated tapered optical fiber.