{
  "id": 16639970,
  "title": "Open source laser-scanning photostimulation for neuroscience with Zapit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/open-source-laser-scanning-photostimulation-for-neuroscience-with",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-26T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "eLife",
    "slug": "elife",
    "url": "https://elifesciences.org/articles/111872"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Optogenetic tools are essential for deciphering the causal neural mechanisms behind animal behavior, allowing for precise control over genetically defined neural populations. Random-access laser-scanning optogenetics is a highly effective, yet underused technique that enables transient manipulation of cortical activity in mice. However, there is currently no widely available open-source implementation of this technique, and using it requires expertise in optics, real-time hardware control, and programming. This lack of accessible resources presents a significant obstacle to its adoption, particularly for new research groups. In this paper, we introduce 'Zapit', the first open-source platform for conducting random-access laser-scanning optogenetic experiments in head-fixed mice. Zapit is fully documented, features a user-friendly graphical user interface, works in stereotaxic coordinates, and offers easy-to-assemble hardware options that surpass the capabilities of any previously published system. To verify the performance of Zapit, we conducted electrophysiological recordings and cortical photoinhibition in behaving mice. Zapit represents a groundbreaking and innovative tool with the potential to make laser-scanning optogenetics more accessible to the scientific community, thereby significantly increasing its utilization.",
  "summary": "Optogenetic tools are indispensable for understanding the causal neural mechanisms underlying animal behavior, providing millisecond-precision control over genetically defined neural populations. Random-access laser-scanning optogenetics is a powerful and underutilized method for transiently manipulating cortical activity in mice. Despite the utility of this technique, no general-purpose…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}