This setup supports high-resolution electrophysiological recordings in awake head-fixed mice running on a treadmill. Recordings are done using Neuropixel probes each allowing recordings from 384 cites. Simultaneous recordings with two 256-channel ECoGs can be combined for human-rodent translational research. Recordings can be combined with a visual task.
Equipment: Neuropixels 1.0 with PXIe acquisition module
Location: Biomedicum 1
Additional info/Comments: Assisted use only.
This system allows recordings of local field potentials (LFP) and multi-unit activity, to study for example network oscillations, synchronization and/or neural responses evoked by experimental event. Single unit activity (firing patterns of individual neurons) can be resolved after offline spike sorting. Recordings can be performed in anaesthetized or head-fixed mice using a floating platform. Optogenetics, pharmacological treatments and simple behavioral tasks can be combined.
Equipment: NeuroNexus Smartbox, with maximum of 256 channels from four silicon probes, with Radiens Analytics software. A floating platform (Mobile HomeCage) for recordings in head-fixed awake mice
Location: Biomedicum 1
Additional info/Comments: The setups can be used by clients only after hands-on training.
The unit provides facilities for surgery, genetic manipulation and behavioral training
Please contact the unit personnel ( HEP-contact@helsinki.fi ) for new project requests and further information.
| Price per hour (EUR) | |||
| Internal (UH) | Cost price (Aalto, HUS,BF) | External | |
| Head-fixed recordings (Neuronexus) | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| Head-fixed recordings (Neuropixels) | 30 | 30 | 60 |
| Other | |||
| Surgery Hoods | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Training platform for head fixation | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| In utero electroporation | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| Behavioral testing platform | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Assistance | |||
| Expert | 38 | 38 | 95 |
| Technician | 28 | 28 | 70 |
| Full research service ; agreed separately | |||
Materials and consumables provided by the facility include common anesthetics and pain medication for the surgeries. Other consumables (including electrodes, light guides and pharmacological compounds) from the unit can be used only upon separate agreement, and these will be charged at provider’s price. It is commendable that users purchase all the necessary consumables themselves.
Obtaining access and reservation rights for all instruments requires training by unit personnel. After training, instrument reservations are done using Open IRIS. The instructions on how to log in and register as a new user can be found in the Open IRIS wiki.
Some of the techniques used in the unit are challenging. Assisted use by the unit personnel is possible, with additional cost (after training), as indicated in the price list. If long-term assistance or research services are needed, the details and pricing will be agreed individually when new projects are started.
Please note that if you have used any of the instruments or services of the Helsinki Electrophysiology Platform (HEP) for your publication, you are expected to mention the unit in the Acknowledgements and inform the unit personnel about your publication. A very general acknowledgement would be :
“The authors acknowledge the Helsinki Electrophysiology Platform (HEP) for the facilities and technical support. HEP is supported by the HiLife Neuroscience Center and Biocenter Finland.”
When the unit personnel provides substantial intellectual input to the project, they should be included as authors according to established international guidelines.