The Physics-Uspekhi’s competition “The best articles and reviews 2015”

Congratulations to the prof. A. M. Zheltikov and his colleagues I. V. Fedotov, A. B. Fedotov  from  the laboratory of Photonics and quantum technologies on winning “The best review 2015” award by Physics-Uspekhi journal for the work

Neurophotonics: optical methods to study and control the brain

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Abstract. Methods of optical physics offer unique opportunities for the investigation of brain and higher nervous activity. The integration of cutting-edge laser technologies and advanced neurobiology opens a new cross-disciplinary direction of natural sciences — neurophotonics, leading to the development of a vast arsenal of tools for functional brain diagnostics, stimulation of individual neurons and neural networks, as well as molecular engineering of brain cells aimed at a diagnosis and therapy of neurodegenerative and psychic diseases. Optical fibers suggest unique approaches helping to confront the most challenging problems in brain research, including the analysis of cellular and molecular mechanisms behind memory and cognition. Optical fibers of new generation offer new solutions for the development of fundamentally new, unique tools for neurophotonics and laser neuroengineering — fiber-optic neuroendoscopes and neurointerfaces. These instruments open new horizons for the investigation of the most complex brain functions, enabling a long-term multiplex detection of fluorescent protein markers, as well as photostimulation of neuronal activity in deep brain areas in living, freely behaving animals with an unprecedented spatial resolution and minimal invasiveness. This emerging technology opens new horizons for understanding learning and long-term memory through experiments with living, freely behaving mammals. Here, we offer a brief review of this rapidly growing field of research.

We wish the authors future success and hope to see more of their work in future!