In utero electroporation and cranial window implantation for in vivo wide-field two-photon calcium imaging using G-CaMP9a transgenic mice

Abstract

Summary: We present a protocol to prepare mouse cranial window implantation for in vivo two-photon wide-field calcium imaging. This protocol uses G-CaMP9a transgenic mice, which express a genetically encoded calcium indicator with high signal-to-noise ratio. We describe in utero electroporation, followed by headplate fixation and cranial window implantation. This protocol can be used for measuring neural activity and is suitable for long-term imaging in large populations. Moreover, this protocol does not require preparation of Flp-expressing transgenic mice.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Sakamoto et al. (2022). : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Keywords

• Developmental biology
• Microscopy
• Model Organisms
• Neuroscience