optogent

I don’t think you understand the term “optogenetics”. GCaMP protein imaging techniques are the most successful in vivo calcium imaging tools and are optogenetic tools. Chen, Tsai-Wen, et al. "Ultrasensitive fluorescent proteins for imaging neuronal activity." Nature 499.7458 (2013): 295-300. Many tools within the optical pharmacology field are optogenetic tools. Kramer, Richard H., Alexandre Mourot, and Hillel Adesnik. "Optogenetic pharmacology for control of native neuronal signaling proteins." Nature neuroscience 16.7 (2013): 816-823. You can use SLM microscopy for optogenetic tools. Packer, Adam M., et al. "Two-photon optogenetics of dendritic spines and neural circuits." Nature methods 9.12 (2012): 1202-1205.

In order to test existing elegant theories and perhaps inspire new ones, the field needs powerful tools that can manipulate and readout the activity of large neuronal populations with genetic specificity. I think optogenetics is one of the more promising ways to get you theorists the data you crave.

Prof. Doyle guest lectured one of my classes and it was awesome! He's incredibly passionate about his research and I'm sure he'd great to work with.

I think that rankings are mainly subjective and trivial, but Caltech was ranked 3rd in neuroscience here: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/neurosciences-rankings Perhaps another indicator of quality is that it was the school that received the most BRAIN initiative grants. However, remember that it is a small school (300 professors, 1,000 grads, 1,000 undergrads), so make sure that you have a few professors that you could see yourself working for.

That's a keen observation, thanks Micecroscopy! I'm a little optimistic for this coming week, but I'll try not to be too hard on myself if it doesn't work out.

Hi MIT BCS people! I'm still waiting to hear back from them. I'm curious, when did you submit your application? I submitted mine on Dec. 1 and have a small speck of hope that is the reason it is taking longer. Thanks!