Calcium imaging

Calcium imaging is a microscopy technique to optically measure the calcium (Ca2+) status of an isolated cell, tissue or medium. Calcium imaging takes advantage of calcium indicators, fluorescent molecules that respond to the binding of Ca2+ ions by fluorescence properties. Two main classes of calcium indicators exist: chemical indicators and genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECI).[1] This technique has allowed studies of calcium signalling in a wide variety of cell types. In neurons, action potential generation is always accompanied by rapid influx of Ca2+ ions. Thus, calcium imaging can be used to monitor the electrical activity in hundreds of neurons in cell culture or in living animals, which has made it possible to observe the activity of neuronal circuits during ongoing behavior.[2]

  1. ^ de Melo Reis, Ricardo Augusto; Freitas, Hércules Rezende; de Mello, Fernando Garcia (2020). "Cell Calcium Imaging as a Reliable Method to Study Neuron–Glial Circuits". Frontiers in Neuroscience. 14: 975. doi:10.3389/fnins.2020.569361. ISSN 1662-453X. PMC 7566175. PMID 33122991.
  2. ^ Siciliano, Cody A.; Tye, Kay M. (February 2019). "Leveraging calcium imaging to illuminate circuit dysfunction in addiction". Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.). 74: 47–63. doi:10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.05.013. ISSN 1873-6823. PMC 7575247. PMID 30470589.