Bionic Imaging Platform helps mice move and see brain activity
Official title: Bionic Imaging Platform (BIP) for high performance functional imaging in freely navigating rodents
Funded at Objective Biotechnology, INC. · NIH-11316597 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new robotic imaging system lets mice move freely while scientists watch brain activity with high detail.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Objective Biotechnology, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $479,794 |
| NIH project number | 1R42NS147759-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11316597 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with interest in brain imaging research or future patients who could benefit from advanced, movement-friendly imaging technologies.
✕Less likely to help
This grant does not directly offer a treatment or diagnosis for a specific patient group.
What this research studies
This project aims to let researchers study brain signals in freely moving mice at single-cell resolution across brain regions. It combines a robotic, animal-following optical headstage with existing high-performance imaging, so imaging isn’t limited to still, head-fixed setups. In Phase I, the team will test in vivo two-photon imaging as mice walk an oval track and create a modular headstage compatible with common imaging tools. The goal is to enable powerful brain measurements during natural behavior, bridging bench-top capabilities and real-world movement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit later from improved brain imaging technologies used in research and possibly in clinical monitoring of brain function.
How similar studies have gone: Prior imaging approaches often required head-fixation; this project could extend high-performance imaging to freely moving behavior.
Where this research is happening
-
Objective Biotechnology, INC.
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Surinach, Daniel a — Objective Biotechnology, INC.
- Study coordinator: Surinach, Daniel a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.