Research​ in short

We address questions in neuroscience from an imaging perspective: How to transduce  information in neurons into detectable photons, resolvable in space and time.
We use physics, optics, molecular biology and nanofabrication to look into cultured cells, primary tissue and live organisms.
Current projects in the lab include:

Voltage nanoscopy 

We use plasmonic enhancement to obtain a high resolution optical readout of membrane voltage from subcellular compartments

Absolute Voltage Imaging

In a proof of principle experiment we showed the feasibility of encoding absolute membrane voltage in the fluorescence lifetime of Genetically Encoded Voltage Indicators. We are working on optimization and application of this method in zebrafish.

Multiphoton Voltage Imaging

We explore the possibilities of optical instrumentation and genetic engineering to achieve deep tissue voltage imaging using multiphoton excitation.

Image analysis, network modeling and machine learning

We create interfaces for automated interaction with excitable tissues and model dynamics in these hybrid systems 

Single cell selection and analysis

We are interested in the creation of hardware and software for single cell selection and manipulation

 

Selected Publications

Publications relevant to the current work in the lab include:

W. Bloxham, D. Brinks, S. Kheifets, AE Cohen
Linearly polarized excitation enhances signals from fluorescent voltage indicators
Biophysical Journal 120 (23), 5333-5342 (2021)

M.-P. Chien*, D. Brinks*, G. Testa-Silva, H. Tian, F.P. Brooks III, Y. Adam, W. Bloxham, B. Gmeiner, S. Kheivets, A.E. Cohen
Photoactivated Voltage imaging in tissue with an Archaerhodopsin-derived reporter
Science Advances, 7,19, eabe3216 (2021). doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abe3216

Y. Adam, J.J. Kim, S. Lou, Y. Zhao, M.Xie, D. Brinks, H. Wu, M. A. Mostajo-Radji, S. Kheifets, V. Parot, S. Chettih, K.J. Williams, B. Gmeiner, S.L. Farhi, L. Madisen, E.K. Buchanan, I. Kinsella, D. Zhou, L. Paninski, C.D. Harvey, H. Zeng, P. Arlotta, R.E .Campbell, A.E. Cohen
Voltage Imaging and optogenetics reveal behaviour-dependent changes in hippocampal dynamics.
Nature, 569, 413 (2019). doi: 10.1038/s41586-019-1166-7

D. Brinks, Y. Adam, S. Kheifets, A.E. Cohen
Painting with rainbows: Patterning Light in Space, Time, and Wavelength for Optogenetic Sensing and Control
Accounts of Chemical Research, 49, 2518–2526 (2016). doi: 10.1021/acs.accounts.6b00415

A. Abdelfattah, S. Farhi, Y. Zhao, D. Brinks, P. Zou, A. Ruangkittisakuul, J. PLatisa, V. Pieribone, K. Ballanyi, A.E. Cohen, R. Campbell
A bright and fast red fluorescent protein voltage indicator that reports neuronal activity in organotypic brain slices
Journal of Neuroscience 36, 8, 2458-2472 (2016). doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3484-15.2016

D.Brinks, A.J. Klein, A.E. Cohen
Two-Photon fluorescence lifetime imaging (2P-FLIM) of genetically encoded voltage indicators as a probe of absolute membrane voltage
Biophysical Journal, 109, 5,914-921 (2015). doi:10.1016/j.bpj.2015.07.038

P. Zou, Y. Zhao, A.D. Douglass, D.R. Hochbaum, D. Brinks, C.A. Werley, D.J. Harrison, R.E. Campbell, A.E. Cohen
Bright and Fast multicoloured voltage reporters via electrochromic FRET
Nature Communications , 5, 4625 (2014). doi:10.1038/ncomms5625

D. Brinks, M. Castro-Lopez, R. Hildner, N.F. van Hulst
Plasmonic antennas as design elements for coherent ultrafast nanophotonics
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), 110, 18386-18390 (2013). doi: 10.1073/pnas.1308652110  pdf

R. Hildner, D. Brinks, J. B. Nieder, R.J. Cogdell, N. F. van Hulst
Persistent Quantum Coherent Energy Transfer over Varying Pathways in Single Light-Harvesting Complexes
Science 340, 1448-1451 (2013). doi:10.1126/science.1235820

D. Brinks, F.D. Stefani, F. Kulzer, R. Hildner, T.H. Taminiau, Y. Avlasevich, K. Müllen, N.F. van Hulst
Visualizing and controlling vibrational wave packets of single molecules
Nature, 465, 905-908 (2010). doi: 10.1038/nature09110

Join the lab!

We are always looking for enthusiastic and ambitious students, PhDs and postdocs to join the lab.
We have PhD positions open in reinforcement learning and efficient AI in neuroscience!

Bachelor/Master Students

Contact Daan to discuss possible research projects

PhD Students

Send us an email with your background, CV, research interests and contact details of 2 references. Or come by the office if you're local!

Postdocs

If you're enthusiastic about taking on a multidisciplinary project on the junction of optics, molecular biology and neuroscience, let us know! Please send us an email with a cover letter, CV, statement of research interest and contact details of 3 references.