Our goal is to enable 100 users to record high-fidelity EMG to provide new tools for their neuroscience research.
Workshop participants will be enrolled on a rolling basis into groups of users that will go through the workshop together. The workshop is 4 weeks and each week is organized to facilitate progress from troubleshooting the recording rig to collecting and de-noising data.
To standardize our tools and teaching methods, the workshop will focus on arrays designed for mice, with training modules focused on recording from orofacial and forelimb muscles. Our arrays, however, are easily adaptable to other species and muscle groups, and we encourage participation by groups working with other species or motor effectors.
Each lab will receive throughout the duration of the 4-week training sessions a series of packages with arrays that will be used for each phase. Upon completion of the workshop, users that are interested in continuing to use the high-fidelity flexible arrays can submit requests additional supplies using the request form in the User section of the workshop website.
Workshop Details
Cohorts
Workshop participants will be grouped into cohorts of 8-12 users.
Each cohort is 4 weeks long and will cover the curriculum as described below.
The first group starts in September 2021.
Virtual Sessions
Each week will begin with a virtual session on Mondays where a group leader will go over instructional videos and online resources for the upcoming week.
There will also be an opportunity for users to discuss challenges they encounter and resolutions they developed during the previous week.
Surgeries
Surgeries will be conducted asynchronously each week when it is most convenient for each user. All users will have access to online forums to promote peer-to-peer assistance.
For our most experienced users, a full implantation surgery with a head-fixation apparatus can take 2.5 - 3 hours.
Novice Users
Users who have less than 1 years of surgical and electrophysiology experience can expect to spend 2 full-day sessions (6-8 hours) each week.
Experienced Users
For users who have at least 3 years of surgical and electrophysiolgy experience, we expect that the workshop will require 2 half-day sessions (4-6 hours) each week.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that this is a novel approach to hosting a workshop and we thank you for your patience and flexibility. An FAQs page is being maintained on a regular basis to help you get the answers you need.
Visit our FAQs page.
Cohort Schedule
COHORTS
Cohort 1
Cohort 2
Cohort 3 *
Cohort 4
Cohort 5
Cohort 6
Cohort 7
Cohort 8
Cohort 9
Cohort 10
START DATE
August 30, 2021
October 11, 2021
November 15, 2021
January 10, 2022
February 14, 2022
March 21, 2022
April 25, 2022
May 30, 2022
July 4, 2022
August 8, 2022
END DATE
September 24, 2021
November 5, 2021
December 17, 2021
February 4, 2022
March 11, 2022
April 15, 2022
May 20, 2022
June 24, 2022
July 29, 2022
September 2, 2022
* There will NOT be any workshop instruction during the week of November 22, 2021 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States.
REGISTER BY AUGUST 6, 2021
Still have questions? Visit our FAQs page.
Week 1
Introduction.
Once we begin the onboarding process, you will gain access to participant resources including video instruction guides and software for data collection and analysis.
Users will be introduced to the ways that the arrays are being used to collect single-unit and multi-unit activity during motor behaviors.
In the first week, 32-electrode recording arrays (one array of 4 x 8 configuration, GG100-032P2) will be distributed to labs for acute recordings and to troubleshoot recording rigs.
Week 2
Practice.
Participants will be able to look at their data from Week 1 and we will assist you to help identify motor unit activity.
Users will receive sample arrays that will allow them to become acquainted with how the material is implanted and can practice alongside an instructional video protocol. Suture holes, tabs, and barbed ends are designed to assist users with simple implantation protocols.
Labs will receive blank template arrays (4 branches of same shape as Week 3 recording array without recording sites, MF400-032) that do not have recording sites to practice the implantation surgery.
Week 3
Record.
Once users have become comfortable with the sample arrays, recording arrays will be distributed.
In the third week, labs will receive functional 32-electrode branched recording arrays (4 branches of 1 x 8 recording electrodes, MF400-032P2) for implantation and acute or chronic recordings. Users can record acute activity shortly after implanting the arrays.
Figure at right shows recordings from 8 electrodes on an array. There are two units that can readily be identified. Time bar is 50 ms.
Week 4
Analyze.
Users will record motor activity across multiple days and various behaviors.
Data can be visualized with a variety of software packages including MATLAB. We will also cover spike sorting strategies in order to show users what can be done with their newly acquired data.
Still have questions? Visit our FAQs page.
Communities.
Participants of our workshop will have access to online communities to give and receive support across a number of aspects that come along with learning a new technique.
Design.
Can I customize a design to reach my anatomical targets?
How do I connect an array to my existing hardware?
Implantation.
What is the best way to secure the array into place?
How do I route the arrays to the anatomical targets?
Recording.
How do I know if this waveform is noise or a motor unit?
How long can I capture an individual motor unit?
Analysis.
Which spike sorting methods work best for EMG recordings?
What is the best way to determine whether there is a correlation between the EMG activity and the behavior?