MiniFAST: A Sensitive and Fast Miniaturized Microscope for In Vivo Neural Recording

Authors

• Jill Juneau
• Guillaume Duret
• Joshua P Chu
• Blake Madruga
• Conor C Dorian
• Alexander V Rodriguez
• Savva Morozov
• Daniel Aharoni
• Jacob T Robinson
• François St-Pierre
• Peyman Golshani
• Caleb Kemere

Language

English

Publication Date

2-1-2026

Journal

Neurophotonics

DOI

10.1117/1.NPh.13.S2.S23203

PMID

41837229

PMCID

PMC12988765

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

3-14-2026

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Significance: Observing the activity of large populations of neurons in vivo is critical for understanding brain function and dysfunction. The use of fluorescent genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) in conjunction with miniaturized microscopes is an exciting emerging toolset for recording neural activity in unrestrained animals. Despite their potential, current miniaturized microscope designs are limited using image sensors with low frame rates, sensitivity, and resolution. Beyond GECIs, there are many neuroscience applications that would benefit from the use of other emerging neural indicators, such as fluorescent genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) that have faster temporal resolution to match neuron spiking, yet require imaging at high speeds.

Aim: We integrated an advanced CMOS image sensor into a popular open-source one-photon miniaturized microscope platform.

Approach: MiniFAST is a fast and sensitive miniaturized microscope capable of 1080p video ( 1920×1080pixels ), 1.5μm resolution, frame rates up to 500 Hz (achieved with windowing: 1920×55pixels height), and high gain ability (up to 70 dB) to image in extremely low-light conditions.

Results: We report results of ∼300-Hz in vivo imaging of freely behaving transgenic Thy1-GCaMP6f mice, high-speed 500-Hz in vitro imaging of a GEVI, and in vivo GEVI imaging in head-fixed mice.

Conclusions: Our results extend miniaturized microscope capabilities in high-speed imaging, high sensitivity, and increased resolution.

Keywords

miniaturized microscopes, open-source, neuroengineering tools, genetically encoded calcium indicators, genetically encoded voltage indicators, Sony STARVIS, hippocampus

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Juneau, Jill; Duret, Guillaume; Chu, Joshua P; et al., "MiniFAST: A Sensitive and Fast Miniaturized Microscope for In Vivo Neural Recording" (2026). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 7249.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/7249