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Researchers have created a groundbreaking lensless camera called DiffuserCam, capable of producing 3D images without the need for scanning. This innovative technology allows scientists to observe live microneuron activity in mice without the use of traditional microscopes.
Laura Waller, head of the computational imaging laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, explained, “Our imaging method can track the activity of large numbers of neurons in freely moving animals. In the future, a smaller version of this device could potentially help blind individuals perceive their surroundings.â€
The camera is compact and cost-effective because it only requires a diffuser plate on top of the image sensor. However, the software needed to reconstruct high-resolution 3D images is quite complex.
DiffuserCam is a type of light field camera that captures both the number of pixels and the angle of light hitting the sensor. Historically, such cameras were expensive and had limited resolution. To address this, Waller explored whether advanced algorithms could replace costly micro-lens arrays with simple plastic surfaces featuring irregular bumps.
Through extensive research, Waller and her team developed a powerful algorithm and tested various diffuser plates. They discovered that using compression sensing allowed them to maintain image resolution while improving performance. This approach made it possible to create a more affordable and efficient light field camera.
Looking ahead, the Waller team plans to apply DiffuserCam as part of the U.S. government’s BRAIN initiative, aiming to develop an implantable, biocompatible neural interface for visually impaired patients. Their goal is to build a device known as a cortical modem, which could "read" and "write" signals from the brain. In this context, DiffuserCam will serve as a crucial component of the reading system.
Waller believes that using this technique to study neuronal activity in mouse brains could provide valuable insights into sensory perception and may lead to new treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and mental disorders.
New imaging methods now allow researchers to capture millions of neurons simultaneously. The Waller team hopes this will deepen their understanding of how the brain functions. As Waller put it, “The most exciting medical application is the in vivo imaging of three-dimensional neuronal dynamics in freely moving animals. For neuroscientists to connect animal behavior with neural activity, the animals must be able to move naturally in their environment.â€