In this presentation, Vikaas Sohal will provide an overview of the “basic operating parameters” for optogenetic tools. Specifically, Sohal will: - Describe how to consider opsin kinetics when designing light trains for stimulation. - Describe how to validate the expression of optogenetic tools. - Identify important considerations when combining optogenetic tools with each other or other optical methods. After watching this presentation, you should be able to understand the critical considerations when selecting optogenetic tools.

Oswald Steward is a professor of anatomy and neurobiology at the University of California at Irvine School of Medicine.

Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom, MD, is a professor at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Damien Fair, PA-C, PhD, is a cognitive neuroscientist at Oregon Health and Science University. He studies brain maturation using imaging techniques such as MRI to understand the mechanisms and principles that underlie the developing human and non-human primate brain. Fair’s research has a strong foundation in graph theory analyses and other statistical and quantitative methods. He is highly involved in training and outreach through his lab’s program YES! Youth Engaged in Science, and through SfN’s Public Education and Communication Committee.