Recording Electricity in the Brain

Publications:  ASAP1  ASAP2f  ASAP2s  ASAP3  ASAP4b/e ASAP5

ASAP-family fluorescent voltage indicators


We leverage our experience with the chemistry and physics of fluorescent proteins to develop new methods for visualizing the electrical activity of the brain. Our ASAP family of genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) uniquely combine bright fluorescence, large responses to voltage changes, and fast kinetics. 


Our latest ASAPs have the following capabilities:

• Detection of single action potentials with similar relative fluorescence changes as widely used calcium indicators

• Millisecond-level time resolution – an order of magnitude faster than calcium indicators

• Reporting of subthreshold electrical activity

• Reporting of multiple neurons in living mice under both 1-photon and two-photon microscopy over minutes


We are further improving ASAPs and applying them to characterizing neurological diseases. Together with collaborators, we also use ASAPs to decipher neuronal and circuit computations during learning.