Tools, Techniques and Infrastructure

We use and develop state-of-the-art technology for all-optical circuit interrogation based on 2-photon microscopy and holographic optogenetics. We  have ~ten individual 2-photon setups, including in our imaging facility, which presents one of the highest densities in the UK.

Key labs: Baden, Lagnado, Maravall, Schröder, Guthrie, Alonso

We use a wide range of single-photon fluorescence microscopy approaches, ranging from standard confocal microscopy to spinning disk and Airydisk setups. Many of these setups are housed in our central microscopy facility available for anyone to use.

Key labs: Staras, Richardson, Penn, Alonso, Guthrie, Lagnado, Baden, Schröder, Kros

We use a variety of high-density electrode arrays for recording from 100s or 1000s of neurons at a time. These include a 4096 channel 3Brain system and, more recently, neuropixel setups for recording from the live brain in rodents.

Key labs: Maravall, Baden, Osorio, Schröder, Lagnado

We employ diverse forms of single-cell electrophysiological approaches, ranging from various forms of patch clamp rigs to the use of sharps and extracellular  techniques. A great number of rigs are in regular use.

Key labs: Staras, Penn, Niven, Graham, Kros, Kemenes I, Kemenes G, Maravall, Lagnado, Baden, Collett, Nowotny

SNAC researchers use virtual reality to create optometric tests, and to manipulate the statistics of natural scenes to study how the visual system adapts to environmental perturbations.  We also use VR with animal models during physiological experiments and behaviour.

Key labs: Bosten, Franklin, Buckley, Niven, Evans

We use genetically-tractable models to map the impact of the genetic programme on the workings of the brain. By coupling this neurogenetic approach to neuron-specific RNA sequencing  we track mechanisms from molecules to complex behaviours

Key labs: Alonso, Richardson, Guthrie, Lagnado, Penn, Baden, Schröder

With a particular focus on colour vision in several of our labs, we employ state of the art approaches in hyperspectral imaging to study the links between colour sensation, neuronal circuits, perception and spectral information in the world around us.

Key labs: Franklin, Bosten, Baden, Osorio

Psychophysicists at Sussex use precicely calibrated visual displays and light sources to investigate and model human colour perception. We also use a wide range of psychophysical approaches to study the brain’s capacity to process sound, touch, and time.

Key labs: Bosten, Franklin, Sohoglu, Maravall, Roseboom

Across our labs we use closed-loop Virtual Reality systems, high-throughput behaviour monitoring and innovative technology in real world environments all to record the naturalistic behaviour engaged in sensory-driven behaviours. We also combine this with our diverse tools for recording neuronal activity.

Key labs: Graham, Niven, Collett, Buckley, Nicholls, Baden, Maravall, Schröder, Alonso, Berthouze, Collett, Philippides, Nowotny, Richardson, Kemenes G, Kemenes I,

Working at the intersection of neuroscience, embodied AI and robotics we use a range of high performance computing resources (GPU/CPU clusters) for a broad range of applications such as running resource-intensive models and ‘big data’ analysis techniques to identify structure in our diverse and high dimensional datasets.

Key labs: Buckley, Nowotny, Berthouze, Evans, Simpson, Philippides, Husbands, Baden, Bosten, Raman

Bosten, Franklin, Roseboom, Sohoglu, Maravall, Osorio, Berthouze, Evans

Schröder, Maravall, Lagnado, Staras, Penn, Richardson, Cros, Raman

Baden, Lagnado, Richardson, Guthrie, Buckley

Alonso, Nowotny, Kemenes G, Niven, Raman

Kemenes G, Kemenes I, Staras

Baden, Niven, Osorio

Staras, Penn

Philippides, Nowotny, Evans, Simpson, Graham,  Husbands, Buckley, Berthouze, Raman