{"id":796,"date":"2017-03-03T12:01:33","date_gmt":"2017-03-03T17:01:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-ret\/?page_id=796"},"modified":"2021-10-10T17:35:29","modified_gmt":"2021-10-10T21:35:29","slug":"thomas-bifano","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-ret\/research-projects\/projects-2025\/2017-summer-projects\/thomas-bifano\/","title":{"rendered":"Thomas Bifano"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Fast Volumetric Imaging of Neurons<\/h3>\n<p><strong>PROJECT DESCRIPTION<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment187\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment187\" style=\"width: 240px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/photonics-ret\/files\/2015\/06\/Bifano-4-426x636.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"230\" height=\"343\" class=\" wp-image-187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-ret\/files\/2015\/06\/Bifano-4-426x636.jpg 426w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-ret\/files\/2015\/06\/Bifano-4-685x1024.jpg 685w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-ret\/files\/2015\/06\/Bifano-4.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment187\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Prof. Thomas Bifano<br \/>Mechanical Engineering<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We will conduct experiments using new imaging techniques and custom-built microscopes. Work will include two-photon imaging and extended depth of focus wide field fluorescent imaging, each enhanced by the addition of adaptive optics subsystems. In adaptive optics, BU-designed deformable mirrors are used to compensate for aberrations in the optical path or in the tissue itself. Work will include data collection, MATLAB programming, optical measurement, and post-processing of optical image data. Work could also include real-time control of deformable mirrors and optical instruments. Participants should gain some experience with MATLAB (even through simple introductory exercises) before joining this research group. We will train regarding all needed optics expertise.<\/p>\n<p><strong>LABORATORY MENTOR<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:nvickers@bu.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nic Vickers<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>RESEARCH GOALS<\/strong><br \/>\n<span>\u2022<\/span>\u00a0Develop better techniques to see neurons, despite strong scattering and aberrations in brain tissue.<br \/>\n<span>\u2022<\/span>\u00a0Explore uses of deformable mirrors to enhance and improve imaging in biological tissue.<br \/>\n<span>\u2022<\/span>\u00a0Understand and control a multi-photon microscope, including scanning subsystem, femtosecond laser, adaptive optics, and image collection software.<\/p>\n<p><strong>LEARNING GOALS<\/strong><br \/>\nThere are four complementary learning objectives. Participants should learn to:<br \/>\n<span>\u2022<\/span>\u00a0Identify important research problems that will advance our understanding of neural circuits and brain function using the principles and tools of photonics.<br \/>\n<span>\u2022<\/span>\u00a0Apply light-based methods of labeling, imaging, and activating or silencing neurons and neural networks.<br \/>\n<span>\u2022<\/span>\u00a0Work on team-oriented projects that dually advance the disciplines of neurobiology and photonics.<br \/>\n<span>\u2022<\/span>\u00a0Communicate effectively through written and oral presentations that describe interdisciplinary neurophotonics work and its impact.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Learn more about Professor Bifano on his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/eng\/profile\/thomas-bifano-ph-d\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">faculty page<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fast Volumetric Imaging of Neurons PROJECT DESCRIPTION We will conduct experiments using new imaging techniques and custom-built microscopes. Work will include two-photon imaging and extended depth of focus wide field fluorescent imaging, each enhanced by the addition of adaptive optics subsystems. In adaptive optics, BU-designed deformable mirrors are used to compensate for aberrations in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12283,"featured_media":0,"parent":1201,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-ret\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/796"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-ret\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-ret\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-ret\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12283"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-ret\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=796"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-ret\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/796\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1865,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-ret\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/796\/revisions\/1865"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-ret\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-ret\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}