Search bioRxiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/bioRxiv

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.10.13.758187

BOWIe: Wireless Headstage for Optical Stimulation in Closed-Loop Optogenetics Experiments in Freely-moving Rodents

Silva, P.·Falcao, M.·Reis, S. L.·Neves, F.·Abrantes, M.·Pereira, T.·Monteiro, P.·Jacinto, L.
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Optogenetics is an invaluable technique in neuroscience to study brain circuits, but conventional optogenetic systems use tethered approaches to deliver light to the brain which can hinder natural behavior. Optoelectronic advances led to the development of wireless optical stimulators for optogenetics experiments, but most reported devices have low widespread use due to complex builds and reduced versatility, which has also limited their integration in closed-loop systems. Here, we developed BOWIe, a battery-powered, low-weight, wireless headstage for photostimulation in optogenetics experiments with rodents, especially designed for simple integration in multiple behavioral setups, including those requiring closed-loop operation. BOWIe is based on a Bluetooth-Low Energy system-on-a-chip that allows simultaneous control and communication capabilities with a reduced number of components, and can be paired with an Arduino-based transmitter for simple integration in any behavioral paradigm using analogue or digital triggers. Two modes of optical stimulation are possible, either with ferrule-coupled optical fibers or LED neural probes, which permit adapting the headstage according to material availability or experimental demands. A user-friendly app was also developed to simplify headstage pairing, definition of stimulation parameters, and protocol design. BOWIe was validated in two behavioral paradigms, including in a closed-loop experiment using computer vision, Bonsai RX, and Deeplabcut Live to track behavioral parameters online and remotely trigger photostimulation upon detected events. BOWIe's modular design and flexible integration with behavioral setups make it a practical tool for in vivo experiments with optogenetics.

Explore related subjects

bioengineeringPreprint

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Silva, P., Falcao, M., Reis, S. L., Neves, F., Abrantes, M., Pereira, T., Monteiro, P., Jacinto, L.. 2026-10-19. BOWIe: Wireless Headstage for Optical Stimulation in Closed-Loop Optogenetics Experiments in Freely-moving Rodents. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.10.13.758187

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

bioRxiv2026

Mesoscale Soft Robotics for Mechanically Perturbing and Functionally Monitoring Responses in Human Organoids

Human organoids represent promising models for studies of significance to the biology and medical communities. Of the existing approaches for monitoring organoids, none offers the ability to apply programmable mechanical forces while simultaneously recording multi-modal physiological responses, of relevance to phenomena spanning from traumatic brain injuries to cardiac rhythm disorders. Here, we present a mesoscale soft robotic organoid interface that enables programmable delivery of forces to organoids of diverse shapes, and to map electrophysiological activity and mechanical responses. The platform combines actuation elements with integrated sensors for quantitative measurement and control. Studies using this technology reveal that spheroidal cortical organoids exhibit distinct responses to mechanical trauma, including silencing, recovery, and changes in neuronal firing patterns. Additional experiments on cardiac ring tissues demonstrate that sustained stretching induces beat-to-beat rhythm variability and altered conduction. The results establish a framework for investigating force-triggered transitions between physiological and disease-like states in human tissue models.

bioengineering↗
bioRxiv2026

Few-shot regulatory sequence design with a genomic language model

A central challenge in generative biology is translating knowledge learned from natural sequences and experiments into designs with desired functions. In-context learning (ICL) is an emergent capability of large language models that allows them to adapt to new tasks from a few examples without additional training, enabling these models to become general-purpose learners. Here, we show that the genome language model, Evo 2, exhibits generative ICL in biological sequence design. Prompting with just tens of examples conditions Evo 2 to generate novel and diverse regulatory DNA sequences without any additional training. Mechanistic analysis suggests that genomic ICL may originate from induction, similar to phenomena observed in natural language. Reinforcement learning leveraging sequence-to-function models as experiment-derived rewards further strengthens ICL. We first validate this approach by generating enhancers that drive cell-type-specific gene expression in three human cell lines. Extending this approach in vivo, enhancers designed using human regulatory element data selectively label layer 5 extratelencephalic neurons in the mouse cortex with high specificity and stronger activity than existing enhancers. Our study provides evidence of emergent properties in genomic sequence models and introduces a promising approach for improving functional conditioning in generative biology.

bioengineering↗
bioRxiv2026

IOP-independent treatment for neurodegeneration in glaucoma using optimized ROS-scavenging microparticles for sustained release of erythropoietin

Glaucoma is a slow-progressing neurodegenerative disease of the optic projection to the brain and a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Current treatments are targeted towards lowering intraocular pressure (IOP), the only known, modifiable risk factor; however, this strategy is ineffective in many patients. An early hallmark of glaucomatous neurodegeneration is increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), representing an alternative opportunity for intervention to halt or slow disease progression. In this work, we optimize a ROS-scavenging copolymer, poly(propylene sulfide-co-ethylene sulfide) (PPSES), for formulation of size-controlled, stabilized, antioxidant microparticles (MPs) for sustained release of the protein erythropoietin (EPO). EPO promotes biological antioxidant defense via activation of NRF2-mediated transcription of antioxidant genes. This MP system overcomes the short half-life of EPO and leverages the combined benefits of bioactive EPO with long-lasting, inherently antioxidant PPSES MPs. The lead EPO-MP formulation preserves neurons in both mouse and non-human primate models of glaucoma through suppression of oxidative stress and optic nerve degeneration. EPO-loaded PPSES MPs represent a translationally relevant therapy for long-term management of glaucoma independent of IOP.

bioengineering↗