Overseas Dispatch

Report from Imaging Course at Max Planck Florida Institute

Our International Leading Research program “Multidimensional Analysis of Memory Mechanisms” supported two graduate students to participate in the Imaging Course at the Max Planck Florida Institute held February 5- February17, 2024.

Report 1
Participant: Chung-Han Wang (Fumi Kubo Lab)
Third-year Ph.D. candidate (five-year program), SOKENDAI/RIKEN

I had the opportunity to join the Neuroimaging course held by Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI). The MPFI campus, located in Jupiter, Florida, is surrounded by the Wertheim UF Scripps Institute and Florida Atlantic University (FAU). The MPFI neuroimaging course was an intensive and comprehensive laboratory-oriented course focusing on applying imaging techniques for neuroscience research. The course was structured to include morning lectures and afternoon/evening laboratory sections, featuring lectures by MPFI PIs and invited professors. This time, there were a total of 22 course participants, including PhD students and postdocs.

The first afternoon featured an ice-breaking activity to help everyone get acquainted. The second day was particularly significant, as all students were divided into four teams for station rotations (lab rotations). There were ten stations to choose from, including mini-2photon microscopy, holographic optogenetic stimulation, 3-photon microscopy, voltage imaging, miniature microscopy in moving mice, DNA PAINT, mini-2photon in FLIM/FRE, and electron microscopy (EM). The morning sessions began with lectures on optics, microscopy basics, advanced microscopy techniques, and imaging, aiming to provide students with a comprehensive understanding—from fundamental principles to practical applications like laser alignment. All lectures were delivered by established researchers in their respective fields, including several invited PIs who were the inventors of topics such as mini-2P and Voltron. Additionally, on two evenings during the course, we held data blitz sessions where students presented their PhD projects in five minutes.

In my case, I was allocated to the EM station with another student due to our shared interest in relevant research. Since the participants assigned to the EM station were predetermined, Dr. Naomi Kamasawa, Head of the MPFI Imaging Center, inquired if we wished to bring our own samples. This allowed me to send my fixed zebrafish from Japan to MPFI for serial block-face SEM. At the EM core, we learned about various aspects of sample preparation for EM, including enhancing sample contrast, heavy metal staining, dehydration for resin infiltration and ultrastructure preservation, microtome shaving and sectioning, trimming the resin sample to fit with the pin, and coating to prevent charging—all under the guidance of research scientist Debbie Guerrero-Given. We gained a deeper understanding of the structural and functional differences between SEM and TEM and had the opportunity to capture images using both techniques.

I highly recommend people to consider applying for this imaging course. The imaging course offers an exceptional opportunity for individuals (not only students but PIs also) who are eager to explore the latest technologies and methodologies in neuroimaging. Lastly, I am deeply grateful to my supervisor Dr. Fumi Kubo and Dr. Keisuke Yonehara for the encouragement to participate in the course. Furthermore, I extended my sincere appreciation for the generous financial support from the International Leading Research Project on Multidimensional Analysis of Memory Mechanisms, which made my participation in this unforgettable course possible. Additionally, I would like to express my thanks to Naomi and Debbie for their invaluable assistance and guidance during the MPFI two-week course, which significantly contributed to my learning and the enrichment of my understanding in EM research.

Learned how to adjust and align the light path by green laser.
Preparation of the EM samples
Group photo with the MPFI EM team

Report 2
Participant: Shiyori Tanaka (Yuji Ikegaya Lab)
Second-year Ph.D. candidate, University of Tokyo

I had the opportunity to participate in the Imaging Course held at the Max Planck Florida Institute (MPFI) for two weeks. This course is designed with the aim of incorporating imaging techniques into one’s own research and advancing it further. The participants ranged from undergraduate students to PhD candidates and postdocs, creating a highly diverse environment where people from all over the world could learn together.

The Imaging Course consisted of morning lectures and afternoon lab sessions, with the lectures covering a wide range of topics related to imaging. The curriculum began with the basic principles of optics, and from this foundation, we systematically learned advanced imaging techniques, which made the content highly understandable and applicable to a wide range of areas. What left the greatest impression on me was how the curriculum seamlessly connected theoretical knowledge with practical experiments, effectively bridging theory and practice. This allowed me to approach the experiments with a solid understanding of the technical background.

During the lab sessions, participants were divided into small groups of two to three and assigned to different research labs. I was fortunate to be selected for my first-choice project, “Mini2P,” where I worked on a project to observe neural activity in freely moving mice using a Mini2P, a small two-photon microscope. This project was hosted by the Ryohei Yasuda Lab and Yingxue Wang Lab at MPFI. We were guided by Weijian Zong, the developer of Mini2P, as well as by doctoral students Goksu Oz, Zhuoyang Ye, and Ohm Parikh. Under their supervision, I learned the entire process, from setting up the Mini2P to recording neural activity.

In addition to research, I was able to enjoy the natural beauty of Florida during the course. The environment around MPFI is excellent, with vast grounds and clear air. During breaks from research, I took the opportunity to relax by visiting the beach, exploring local bars, and enjoying street performances. The hotel where I stayed was also very comfortable, which helped me maintain my health and focus, despite the intense schedule that ran from 9 AM to 9 PM every day.

Through this course, I was able to engage with cutting-edge imaging technologies and expand my network with researchers around the world. I joined this course motivated by my desire to incorporate imaging technology into my current research theme and to observe neural activity in detail during patterned light stimulation. Thanks to the knowledge and skills I gained from this course, as well as the connections made with colleagues from around the globe, I feel that the path to achieving my goals has become clear.

Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone at MPFI who provided me with this invaluable experience, especially Dr. Weijian Zong, Dr. Ryohei Yasuda, Dr. Yingxue Wang, the instructors, TAs, and Julia Dziubek, who supported and encouraged me throughout the course, as well as the professors and seniors in Japan who have supported me, especially Dr. Yuji Ikegaya. I will continue to advance my research, drawing on the experiences gained from this course. Thank you very much for your support.

Presentation of final results
With fellow Imaging Course students
We are “Mini2P”!!!
With Julia Dziubek in the laboratory, she holds the blueprint drawn by Dr. Weijian Zong
The Mini2p system