• SLAB

    Exploring Computation,
    Neuroscience, and Optics

    Research and Engineering laboratory
    UC Santa Barbara

Research

Next generation multiphoton imaging

We have developed new optical systems for imaging neuronal activity with neuronal and synaptic resolution across multiple brain areas. We are developing further advances and new approaches to enable new neuroscience experiments.

Quantitative behavior technology

To explore cellular and population activity in a context in which behaviorally relevant mechanisms are engaged, we have developed and optimized instrumentation to explore quantitative psychophysical behavior guided by complex visual stimuli.

Neuronal population dynamics

We are exploring population dynamics with single cell resolution to elucidate principles of circuit architecture, dynamics, and computation. We are currently using this technology to explore activity in cortical areas in mice.

Machine learning

Brain-like computing approaches can complement conventional von Neumann machines. These approaches including neuromorphic engineering and artificial neural networks. We determine principles of brain computation that can be useful in machines.

Optical computation

Free space optics can be powerful tools for computation. We are exploring new technologies to attain improved performance, efficiency, flexibility, and scalability.

New neurotechnology

We are exploring the technological headroom in several domains for developing new tools and techniques for neuroscience and other biological applications.

  • Computation, neuroscience, and optics
    on the American Riviera

Selected Recent Publications

The Cousa objective: a long working distance air objective for multiphoton imaging in vivo
CH Yu, Y Yu, LM Adsit, ..., IT Smith, SL Smith
Nature Methods

Visual information is broadcast among cortical areas in discrete channels
Y Yu, JN Stirman, CR Dorsett, SL Smith
eLife



Google Scholar

People

Spencer Smith Google Scholar
Spencer LaVere Smith, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
  • Positions:
    Professor, Dept. of Elect. & Comp. Eng.
    Chair, Dynamical Neuroscience Graduate Program
    CEO, Pacific Optica
  • Training:
    Postdocs: University College London and UCLA
    Ph.D.: UCLA, Neuro; B.S. (double): U Iowa, Physics & Math
  • Selected awards: PECASE, McKnight, Klingenstein
  • Link: Pubmed
    • Yiyi Yu Google Scholar
    Yiyi Yu, Ph.D.
    Postdoctoral Scholar
  • Training:
    Ph.D.: Carnegie Mellon University
    B.S.: Zhejiang University, biological science
  • Selected awards: Helen Lyng White Fellowship, Liang Ji-Dian Fellowship, Dean's Fellowship
  • Link: Google Scholar
  • Current work: Correlation structure across cortical areas, network inference, visual navigation, naturalistic visual processing
    • Che-Hang Yu Google Scholar
    Che-Hang Yu, Ph.D.
    Lead Engineer/Postdoc
  • Training:
    Ph.D., M.S.: Harvard University, Applied Physics
    M.S.: National Taiwan University, Photonics
    B.S.: National Tsing Hua University, EE
  • Selected awards: Thesis Award
  • Link: Google Scholar
  • Current work: Large field-of-view multiphoton imaging, advanced multiphoton optical engineering
    • Joseph Canzano Google Scholar
    Joseph Canzano, M.S.
    Graduate Student
  • Training:
    Dynamical Neurosciences at UCSB
    M.S., U Florida, medical science
    B.S., U North Florida, biology
  • Link: Google Scholar
  • Current work: Visual processing, navigation, object recognition, virtual reality, population coding, machine learning, quantitative behavior

    • Filip Tomaska Pubmed
    Filip Tomaska, M.S.
    Graduate Student
  • Training:
    M.S., Charles University, neurobiology
    B.S., Charles University, biology
  • Selected awards: Summa Cum Laude, Best Thesis
  • Link: Pubmed
  • Current work: 2p optomanipulation of neuronal populations
    • Samuel Fei SLAB
    Samuel Fei, M.S.
    Graduate Student
  • Training:
    M.S., UCSB
    B.S., UCSB
  • Selected awards: Dean's Honors of Engineering
  • Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Current work: Multiphoton imaging, optical computing, neurobiology, optics
    • Dawson Lyles SLAB
    Dawson Lyles
    Graduate Student
  • Training:
    B.S., UCLA, Physics
    B.S., UCLA, Applied Mathematics
  • Honors: Dean's List all quarters
  • Current work: Optical computing, fast multipole methods
    • Antonis Antoniades Github
    Antonis Antoniades
    Graduate Student
  • Training:
    B.S., UCSB
  • Major: Physics & Statistics
  • Current work: Visual processing, machine learning

    • Neuroscience and Neuroengineering
      on the American Riviera

    • The field of multiphoton microscopy has been transformed with the introduction of the Cousa objective – an ultra-long working distance air immersion objective. This groundbreaking tool is designed to overcome limitations that have plagued researchers for years, such as short working distances and the need for water immersion. Class 5 Photonics Application News (2023)

    • This is a long-overdue, very careful behavioral paper showing that mice can discriminate natural scenes quite well. It will be important for any study on natural mouse vision. BERENS, BIORXIV (2018)

    • Two-photon calcium imaging of somatic and dendritic calcium transients, with simultaneous dendritic recordings, provided the most direct evidence of local dendritic spiking. YATES, NATURE REVIEWS NEUROSCIENCE 14, 815 (2013)

    • A technically impressive study, combining in vivo patch-clamp recording of dendrites together with calcium imging of the soma in primary visual cortex of anaesthetized and awake mice, demonstrates that dendritic spikes occur in vivo and contribute to orientation selectivity. BRUNEL ET AL., CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY 25:149-155 (2014)

    • By zooming into the mouse visual system with a two-photon microscope, Smith and Hausser provide important insights into how cortex produces diverse functional tuning under the constraint of low divergence. Their work will serve as a valuable reference for imaging the visual system at finer resolution in other species. SIROTIN AND DAS, NATURE NEUROSCIENCE 13, 1045 (2010)

    • This is a reference point to minimize electrode size and increase the spatial density in MEAs [microelectrode arrays]. ROTHSCHILD, FRONTIERS IN NEUROENGINEERING (2010)

    Notes

    We also run the blog Labrigger.

    Find resources for multiphoton imaging in neuroscience at the Nemonic wiki. Videos are posted here. We also run a Slack-like mattermost community for discussing technical issues in multiphoton imaging and related technology, at the link here, and email us if you want access.

    Our work is supported by the NSF and the NIH, specifically the NINDS and the NEI. In addition, SLAB has been fortunate to recieve generous support from HFSP, the Klingenstein Foundation, the Whitehall Foundation, the Simons Foundation, and the McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience.

    We are always happy to hear from highly qualified and motivated individuals who are interested in potentially joining the lab. Contact information is below.

    • Exploring computation, neural circuits, and optics with innovative instrumentation