Worldwide Polygon Customer Examples

The Polygon is being used by 700 labs all over the world for a wide range of research applications. Scroll through the list below to see examples of how some of our customers are using the Polygon in their research.

Neural Computation in Cortical Cultures

Confined neural networks in vitro with optical interface can be used to classify spatiotemporal information.

Patterned optogenetic stimulation to cultured ChR-expressing dissociated neurons resulted in suppression of population bursts. Strong correlation between outputs and input patterns that indicates processing of spatial information. Further analysis showed that the cortical network in vitro could classify and store information of spatiotemporal patterns up to 500 msec

By applying distributed optical stimulation patterns in the network,  population bursts can be suppressed and simultaneously used to classify spatiotemporal information in the output neurons. These findings outline a paradigm of reservoir computing with living neural network which can be used to study spatiotemporal information in neural networks.

Courtesy Zubayer Ibne Ferdous & Dr. Yvgeny Berdichevsky, LeHigh University, USA

In-vitro Seizure Suppression by Patterned Optogenetic Stimulation while Allowing Information Processing in Hippocampus

Development of an effective method for suppressing seizures in such a way that activity in stimulated region is not completely shut off during the intervention. This allows stimulated area to participate in information processing and exchange of information with other brain regions, and may be a more gentle method of suppressing seizures than existing protocols.

Selective patterned optogenetic CA3 stimulation with ChR2 resulted reduction of seizure rate is lower and duration while not tetanizing the cells during stimulation and retaining the ability process other inputs during stimulation.

Courtesy Md Joynal Abedin & Dr. Yvgeny Berdichevsky, LeHigh University, USA

Photopatterning of Multi-Domain DNA Hydrogels

Fluorescent signals caused by the release of DNA from three 3-domain hydrogels that have unique embedded DNA within each domain.

Each row depicts the time-lapse for each multi-domain hydrogel, while each column represents the time of each photo. The blue domain activates first, followed by the red and then the green domain.

The digital masks uploaded to the DMD are shown in the left-most panel – each mask (row 1, 2, and 3)  is used for the patterning of a hydrogel section with unique DNA molecules embedded within: Mask 1 contains red stage-1 DNA (released first), mask 2 contains blue stage-2 DNA (released second), and mask 3 contains green stage-3 DNA (released third). Scale bar is 200 µm.

Courtesy Misha Rubanov & Dr. Rebecca Schulman, Johns Hopkins University, USA

Photopatterning with mercaptopropylsilatrane and the Polygon 1000

By projecting different patterns, it is possible to control where molecules are attached, and so obtain monolayers of arbitrary shape. This results in monolayers with partial coverage – by breaking down a grayscale image into a series of different black and white images, researchers can individually control the exposure time at each pixel, and correspondingly tune the density of deposited dye molecules at each position.

The images are: 1) “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer, 2) black-and-white version of “The Scream” by Edvard Munch, 3) “The Cardsharps” by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, and 4) the seal of Marquette University. Each image in the figure has an area of only 0.48 mm^2.

Courtesy Mark Mitmoen & Dr. Ofer Kedem, Marquette University, USA

Patterned Optogenetic Stimulation to Mimic Odors

The Mightex Polygon used to mimic “odors” by optogenetically activating spatio-temporal patterns in the early olfactory system of the mouse. Presentation of even monomolecular odorants already results in complex patterns of neural activity with unique but rigid spatiotemporal properties.

The Mightex Polygon provides full parametric control over both spatial and temporal properties of the optogenetic “odors” by precisely activating light spots over the dorsal olfactory bulb.

Courtesy Pedro Herrero-Vidal, Dr. Dima Rinberg, & Dr. Cristina Savin, New York University, USA

Pixelated Wrinkles Using Patterned Optical Phase Retardation

The Mightex’s Polygon1000 model used to form pixelated wrinkles on various surfaces. In addition, the continuous exposure technology of the Mightex Polygon has made it possible to locally expose the surface in conjunction with Nikon’s microscope software.

The optics based on a digital micro mirror technology (Polygon) assembles wrinkle pixels of a notably small dimension over a large area at fast fabrication speed. Furthermore, these pixelated wrinkles can be formed on curved geometries

Courtesy Kitae Kim & Dr. Jun-Hee Na, Chungnam National University, Korea

Patterned Optogenetics and Zebrafish Spinal Cord Organization

In vivo optogenetics and electrophysiology used to map connectivity of a major inhibitory population: V1 (En1+) neurons in larval zebrafish. Using the unique illumination patterns available with the Mightex Polygon, a 16×16 grid projected spanning approximately one spinal segment and sequentially activated 0-6 V1 neurons at a time. By translating this grid illumination to different spinal segments rostrally and caudally, connectivity tested from V1 neurons along significant lengths of the spinal cord.

Courtesy Dr. Mohini Sengupta & Dr. Martha Bagnall, WUSTL, USA

Patterned Optogenetics and Characterization of Muscular Responses

Polygon system used to stimulate the peroneal nerve in small segments starting from the distal muscle insertion moving proximally towards the sciatic nerve in a rat expressing Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) in the peroneal nerve after an intramuscular virus injection in the Tibialis Anterior (TA) muscle. Simultaneous recording of muscle response to the optical stimulation in the TA muscle with intramuscular electromyography.

Courtesy Emma Moravec & Dr. Jordan Williams, Marquette University, USA

Patterned Optogenetics and Cerebellar Functional Connectivity

Patterned optogenetics stimulation of transgenically expressed ChR2 in Purkinje cells combined with electrophysiological recordings to evaluate patterns of connectivity between Purkinje cells and cerebellar nuclei neurons.

The Polygon is used to sequentially stimulate different cerebellar lobules in quick succession to assess the presence of a functional connection. These data are then used to characterize how different kinds of information are integrated within the cerebellum, and how these patterns may be implicated in behavior.

Courtesy Kim Gruver & Dr. Alanna Watt, McGill University, Canada

Single-Cell Resolution Optogenetic Spiking

(a) Illustration of highly targeted optical stimulation of a single ChR2-mCherry expressing neuron in the mouse somatosensory cortex. Using a small (25 μm diameter), low-powered (3 mW) spot of illumination centred on the target cell, action potentials could be induced in current clamp (top trace), without any indication in voltage clamp of post-synaptic currents caused by spiking in other neurons (bottom trace).
(b) Illustration of illumination with a large (125 μm diameter), high-powered (15 mW) spot. Multiple spikes were induced in current clamp, and voltage clamp traces showed evidence of post-synaptic currents caused by spiking in other neurons.

Courtesy Matthew Tran & Dr Blake Richards, University of Toronto, Canada.

ChR2 Assisted Circuit Mapping (CRACM)

(A) Image of an acute brain slice prepared from a Thy1-ChR2-EYFP mouse with ChR2 expression in L5 pyramidal neurons. Whole-cell patch clamp recording from a L2/3 cell.
(B) Light-activated excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) triggered by patterned illumination of a 10×10 grid with 473 nm LED.
(C) Colormap of the activation pattern.
(D) Histogram of automatically measured responses from all cells in a grid. Objective lens is 10X.

Courtesy Qiuyu Wu & Dr Alexander Chubykin, Purdue University, USA.

Light-Modulated Protein-Protein Interactions on a Coverslip Surface

This video shows a protein-protein interaction that is inhibited by blue light exposure. One component is coupled to the coverslip through biotin surface chemistry, the other is labeled with mCherry, and binds to the coverslip in the dark. Patterned illumination with the Polygon400 results in revesible dissociation of the mCherry-tagged protein, which rebinds within minutes of turning off blue light exposure. The Wittmann lab is working on developing this into a cell adhesion surface that can be controlled by light.

Courtesy Dr Torsten Wittmann, University California San Francisco, USA.

Publications by this Customer using Polygon:

Van Haren et al. 2018 Nature Cell Biology

Photopatterning of an Acrylate Film

A 50 um film of liquid tetra (ethylen glycol) diacrylate, containg 1 wt% Irgacure 819 photointiator was irradiated through a glass coverslip, using the Polygon400 and a 400nm LED light source to project a pattern onto the film surface. (A) Projection of CU logo image using the 400nm LED and a 4X objective. (B) Brightfield image of the resulting pattern in the film. Photopolymerization causes a large change in refractive index in the resin, allowing immediate visualization of the pattern. Standard development techniques could subsequently be performed by washing the film in solvent to remove the unexposed areas of liquid resin.

Courtesy Gayla Berg, University of Colorado, USA.

Publications by this Customer using Polygon:

McBride et al. 2017 Advanced Materials
Konetski et al. 2016 Langmuir
Peng et al. 2014 Chemistry of Materials

In Vivo Optogenetic Control of Zebrafish Larva Using Polygon400 Illuminator

A) Light-evoked response of a head-fixed larva expressing channelrhodopsin (right). Photostimulation site was indicated by a blue circle (470nm).

B) A schematic diagram of the Polygon400 patterned illumination in in vivo optogenetic mapping system.

Courtesy Dr. Sachiko Tsuda, Saitama University, Japan.

Optogenetic Activation of Channelrhodopsin in Transfected Hippocampal Neurons Using Mightex’s Polygon400

A) Patch-clamp recording of the current generated by the channelrhodopsin when activated with the blue LED light from the Polygon400 illuminator as indicated by the blue bar.

B) Activation of an action potential (upper trace) and the corresponding current under voltage-clamp conditions (lower trace). The action potential could be evoked by a 0.5ms stimulation of the blue LED light from the Polygon400 illuminator at 60% intensity.

Courtesy, Dr. Hans van Hooft, University of Amsterdam, Netherland.

Local Photostimulation of Channelrhodopsin-2 Using Polygon400 Illuminator

A) Acute brain slice from a YFP-channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR-2) mouse depicting its expression in cortical L5 pyramidal neurons. B) L5 pyramidal neuron from the somatosensory cortex filled with Alexa 594 to allow visualization of neuronal compartments without stimulating ChR-2. Blue dots indicate on the illuminated areas (Blue LED – 470 nm) along the apical dendrite. Expansion of the marked areas depicting the delicate dendrites that were stimulated. C) Electrophysiological (patch clamp) current recordings from the soma, corresponding to local photostimulation of ChR-2 by blue light. The numbers in the bottom of the trace corresponds to the stimulated dot numbers as indicated in B.

Courtesy, Dr. Yossi Buskila, University of Western Sydney, Australia.