20-004409 - New nVoke 2.0 system Purchase Products-Systems-Equipment-Description_11-30-2016-11.pdf

Version 11-30-2016-1 FAR Part 11—Describing Agency Needs

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

1. Statement of Need and Purpose:

The Dendritic Dynamics Hub (DDH) wishes to purchase collectively the Inscopix nVoke system that is currently in use by various labs within NIMH and NIH. The Inscopix nVoke

2.0 system will allow the DDH to expand its focus on dendritic dynamics from anatomical, electrophysiological, biochemical, genetic and behavioral observations to an integrated consideration of all of these, in real-time measurements of neuronal activity through calcium influx visualization in awake, freely moving and behaving mice. The nVoke 2.0 Integrated Imaging and Optogenetics System for Rodents is a cutting-edge technology platform that combines calcium imaging and optogenetics into a single “all-optical” system. This unique technological advance enables simultaneous visualization and optogenetic manipulation of neural circuit dynamics in the same field of view using a head-attached miniature microscope. The addition of the nVoke 2.0 system to the capabilities of the DDH will advance our previously stated scientific objectives, and will also bring the technology into more widespread use by other NIMH investigators using similar instrumentation within the NIMH Behavioral Core and within their own labs.

2. Background Information and Objective: The projects being pursued by the DDH as well as several other groups within the NIMH IRP utilize optogenetic methods to control and monitor the activity of individual neurons, or two-photon microscopy to image calcium indicators in head-fixed animals. These methods extend a broad front of modern neuroscience investigation focused on brain circuits that function in an integrated nammer, requiring detailed analysis of neuronal circuit dynamics at the cellular level, and beyond, in awake behaving mammals. The nVoke Integrated Imaging and Optogenetics System for Rodents is a newly-developed technology platform that combines calcium imaging and optogenetics into a single “all-optical” system. This unique technological advance enables simultaneous visualization and optogenetic manipulation of neural circuit dynamics in the same field of view using a head-attached miniature microscope.

This enables for the first time truly causal hypotheses about the relationship between neural circuit activity and the behaviors that arise from it, in freely behaving animals. The nVoke 2.0 system has the unique capability to resolve single-cell activity in a large neuronal population, and activating or silencing them in awake, freely moving animals, thus bridging the gap between precise electrophysiological mechanistic studies conducted in brain slices ex vivo and the consequences of abrogation or enhancement of these cellular processes in neurons embedded within specific brain circuits, in particular the hippocampus and ventral striatum, the foci of current DDH investigations.

Although two-photon microscopy has this type of spatial resolution, simultaneous calcium imaging and optogenetic manipulations require animals to be head-fixed, and specialized two-photon lasers and optics that are not yet commercially available.

Another related approach is to use implanted optic fibers to deliver light stimuli and collect fluorescent data in freely moving animals, but without an image-forming microscope, however this approach does not provide information about individual neurons. The nVoke system provides an innovative solution for investigation of inter-regional functional connectivity, functional cell type mapping and microcircuit functioning, all in the brain of freely behaving animals, including those administered psychomotor stimulants, and in which specific components of intracellular signaling have been genetically altered. The unique system will greatly enhance the NIMH mission statement in bringing ‘causal capability’ to our investigations of hypotheses about how plasticity and sensory responsiveness at the cellular and circuit levels are translated into specific behaviors both physiological and pathophysiological. Additionally, this system is solely obtainable via Inscopix. As examples of the broad scope and usefulness of this technology, ongoing data subsets and experiments using the Inscopix system have been obtained and are ongoing via the existing Inscopix nVoke system in use by investigators in individual NIMH labs and in the NIMH Rodent Behavioral Core, which systems were acquired via sole source award (see HHSN271201700584P and system 2.0 upgrade award HHSN75N95020P00143).

3. Generic Name of Product: Inscopix nVoke 2.0 Integrated Calcium Imaging and Optogenetics System for Rodents in free ranging Studies with hardware/software for control and data acquisition/processing.

4. Purchase Description: (1) nVoke 2.0 Integrated Imaging and Optogenetics System for Rodents, Application Module nVoke, ProView™ Lens Probe, Inscopix Commutator System, Field Scientific Consultant On-Site Training, Inscopix Care (1-year subscription); (2) nVoke; (3) Inscopix; (3) Product #s 1000-004339 quantity 1, 1000- 002315 quantity 1, 1050-002259 quantity 5, 1000-002976 quantity 1, 1000-002897 quantity 1.

5. Salient characteristics:

1. System mustl allow users to monitor and manipulate the behavior of free ranging mice. The neuronal cellular monitoring/calcium must be accomplished via brain implantable micro miniature cameras while the manipulation is accomplished via coupled optogenetic excitatory and inhibitory manipulation, and by genetic control of the expression of individual protein components of neurotransmission.

2. System must be equipped with data acquisition software that controls the calcium data imaging and logging of optogenetic events in a seamless manner. The system must allow user-friendly interface, enable new features such as multi plane imaging, and be compatible with existing systems already in use by members of DDH and other NIMH investigators including those using instrumentation within the NIMH Rodent Behavioral Core.

3. System must be equipped with state-of-the-art processing and visualization software package that allows processing of large visual images and video of neuronal activity while providing tracking data of freely moving subjects.

4. Biological cross-talk must be minimized by precise synchrony in behavioral and imaging data.

5. Implantable microscope must weigh only 2 grams (compared to 3 grams for previous microscopes used for similar purposes) to allow for longer experimental sessions without causing stress or interfering with spontaneous behavior(s). Note: Headpiece will remain 11 mm x 19 mm x 20 mm. FOV 1440 pixels x 1080 pixels 900 micrometers. Optogentic excitation must range from 590 to 650 nm with a pulse repetition rate from 1 to 100 Hz.

Flurophore excitation from 435 to 460 nm with emission at 490 to 540 nm, also with 0-35 mW/mm2 OG Irradiance, 0-10 mW/mm2 OG irradiance for optogenetics experiments.

7. As part of purchase OEM must provide free repairs/or replacement for any hardware damage no matter the cause (user, animal, unknown)

8. Must come with 5 base plates, covers and dummy scope, and lens probes for specific brain regions including hippocampus, and contain implant kit that includes lens holding device, stereotaxic rod and adjustment screws.

9. Must include electronic focus to improve ideal focus and relocating focal plane for longitudinal studies extending over 3-10 days.

10. Must include integrated lens and baseplate to minimal surgical steps prior to testing.

11. Must comes with enhanced file compression reducing transfer times from 1 hr to 2 minutes or less, so that sequential data acquisitions can be made within a 3-4 hr period.

12. Implantable microscopes must have an accelerometer

13. Will allow for remote/live streaming of data acquisition to facilitate on-the-fly (contingent) experimental design.

14. Commutator must be a low torque active commutator designed for high speed HD video signals

15. System shall have technical support for life of unit, and shall include prompt response to hardware and software support

16. System shall have access to online training, content and instructional videos.

17. System shall come with Scientific consultation and guidance, plus unlimited support via email, phone, and video conference for each stage of experimentation from design and biological reagent strategies to lens implantation and data trace extraction with

IDPS.

18. System shall come with 3 data processing software liscenses. So that analysis can continue without interfering with acquisition.

19. System shall come with multiple day on site training with follow up consultation with a field technical support agent.

6. Quantity: 1

7. Delivery Date: September 30, 2020

8. Period of Performance: Must include one year of free repair/replacement for any hardware damage no matter the causative agent (end user, animal, unknown) with complimentary overnight shipping of said damaged, repaired or replaced hardware to and from OEM

9. Option(s): n/a