Evolving protein-based fluorescent indicators to record neuronal voltage dynamics
François St-Pierre
Vivian L. Smith Endowed Professorship in Neuroscience
Associate Professor and McNair Scholar
Baylor College of Medicine – Depts. of Neuroscience (primary) | Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology (secondary) Houston, Texas
Lab website: www.stpierrelab.com | X/Tweeter: @stpierrelab

Résumé
A longstanding goal in neuroscience is understanding how spatiotemporal patterns of neuronal electrical activity underlie brain function, from sensory representations to decision-making. An emerging technology for monitoring electrical dynamics is voltage imaging using Genetically Encoded Voltage Indicators (GEVIs) — light-emitting protein indicators whose brightness is modulated by voltage. GEVIs are promising tools for monitoring voltage dynamics at high spatiotemporal resolution in genetically defined cell types. However, previous GEVIs enabled a narrow range of applications in vivo due to poor performance under two-photon microscopy, a method of choice for deep-tissue recording. Using structural insights and novel high-throughput screening platforms, we engineered novel indicators that are faster, brighter, and more sensitive and photostable than their predecessors. These new GEVIs enable the noninvasive recording of rapid voltage transients for extended durations and in deep cortical layers in awake behaving mice. We anticipate that our sensors will encourage neuroscientists —including those more familiar with calcium imaging— to exploit the unique advantages of voltage optical recording to decipher neuronal computations with millisecond-timescale resolution and cell type specificity.

Invité par Jean-Claude Platel
Lundi 13 octobre 2025 à 11h – salle de conférence de l’Inmed