Alberta Neuroscience (ABNeuro), is proud to support the Cumming School of Medicine Optogenetics Core Facility (CSMOpto) at the University of Calgary in offering a new workshop in the technique of Fiber Photometry.
Overview
The primary goal of neuroscience is to understand how the central nervous system governs emotions and behavior. Achieving this requires detailed insight into the activity of neurons in freely behaving animals. Fiber photometry was developed precisely for this purpose—enabling researchers to monitor the activity of specific neuronal populations with high spatiotemporal resolution.
This technique is rapidly gaining popularity due to its relative simplicity and compatibility with a wide range of behavioral paradigms. However, its use remains highly variable across research groups, with no standardized protocols for implementation or data analysis, posing a challenge to reproducibility and data sharing.
To address this, the CSMOpto Advanced Fiber Photometry Workshop offers an intensive, four-day hands-on training program. The workshop is designed for members of the neuroscience research community interested in adopting or refining fiber photometry techniques within their labs. Our goal is to share our in-house expertise and resources with the broader Canadian neuroscience community to promote best practices in experimental design, technical execution, and data analysis.
Recognizing that fiber photometry is not a one-size-fits-all method, the workshop emphasizes the core principles, technical foundations, and analysis frameworks that underpin this versatile technique. Participants will gain a structured understanding that supports customization for diverse research questions while helping to build a more unified approach across labs.
The program supports open science initiatives and aligns with the mission of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) and the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute by fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing across Alberta and Canada.
Workshop Content
The workshop will take place in person at the University of Calgary over four days. It will include lectures, seminars, demonstrations, and some hands-on work. Topics will include:
- Introduction to Fiber Photometry
- Genetically encoded biosensors
- Model systems and delivery methods
- General principles and limitations
- Fiber Photometry Data Collection
- Basic concepts of data collection
- Pairing recordings with behavioural analyses
- Combinations with optogenetic stimulation
- Multi-site and multi-colour recordings
- Surgical Demonstrations
- Virus injections
- Ferrule implantation
- Experimental Demonstrations
- In vivo recording on neuronal activity of freely behaving mice
- Fiber Photometry Data Analysis
- Introduction to data analysis using MATLAB
- Data pre-processing
- Peak detection and event-triggered averaging
- Data Interpretation
- Linear and non-linear signal analysis
- Statistical modelling and hypothesis testing
There will also be a special Research Seminar presented by Dr. Adam Gordon-Fennell, University of Washington
Teaching Team
This workshop will be led by specialists at the Optogenetics Core Facility:
- Alexander Lohman, Director
- Taylor Chomiak, Staff Scientist
- Tamas Fuzesi, Staff Scientist
- Adam Institoris, Staff Scientist
- Leonardo Molina, Staff Scientist
- Jianjun Sun, Surgical Specialist
For more information on the CSMOpto team, please visit their website.
Workshop Application
Space in this Fiber Photometry workshop is limited, so interested individuals are required to submit an application to attend.
Thanks to the generous support of Institute for Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA), Alberta Neuroscience, the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute, Doric Lenses Inc., the Department of Veterinary Medicine at University of Calgary, and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, there are no registration fees and lodging as well as lunch will be provided throughout the duration of the workshop.
Application Summary
- Academic:
- Master’s students, PhD students, or postdoctoral researchers engaged in neuroscience research with a significant emphasis on neural imaging
- Principal Investigators may apply, but trainees will be given priority
- Additional considerations:
- Applicants should have a well-defined intention for applying fiber photometry to their research
- Applicants must be comfortable viewing animal surgery and handling rodents
- Proof of Institutional Animal Use Training approvals will be required
- Prior experience with any programming language is not required
Applications must be submitted electronically through the Online Application Submission. The individual who wishes to attend the workshop must be the one to apply.
It is imperative that the application is proofread before submission; changes to the application after the deadline are not allowed. Only a single copy of an application will be accepted. A list of application questions is provided in the Application Guidelines for reference only.
Applications must be submitted in completion before 11:59 PM MT on August 20th, 2025.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure the application submission adheres to all requirements and is submitted before the deadline.
Applications will be evaluated and ranked on the following criteria:
- Preference for neuroscience trainees
- Qualifications and experience of the applicant
- Justification for attendance and benefit to applicant’s program of study or research project
- Benefit and contribution to supervisor’s program of neuroscience research
A maximum of 24 applicants will be invited to participate based on the review committee evaluations. CSMOpto and ABNeuro will not enter discussion on specific items in the review process or reasons for the rejection of applications. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Successful applicants must accept their offer within five (5) business days of receiving the notification of decision from ABNeuro. An acceptance form will be provided and must be returned with supporting documentation to ABNeuro by email, signed by all relevant parties, within this time frame. Any potential conditions or required clarifications and their related timelines will be outlined with the offer. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to withdrawal of the offer.
Successful applicants, on acceptance of their offer, will be registered for the four-day workshop. Registration includes the workshop fee, refreshments and lunch.
Successful applicants who accept their offer are required to attend all four days of the workshop and provide feedback to workshop coordinators following the final day.
This workshop is made possible by support from:
CSMOpto
The Cumming School of Medicine Optogenetics Core Facility’s (CSMOpto) goal is to offer an array of equipment and facilities for the combined use of optogenetic stimulation, fiber photometry, and head-mounted miniscopes with behavioural testing in mice and rats. The facility staff offers expertise in rodent behavioural testing, optogenetics, stereotaxic surgery, data analysis, and technology development. CSMOpto also aims to foster educational development through comprehensive training, support, and teaching for our users. The facility is fully operational, and our most significant impact to date has been supporting the Cumming School of Medicine and Hotchkiss Brain Institute research excellence including several high-impact publications over the past 2 years. For more information, please visit their webpage.
ABNeuro
Alberta Neuroscience (ABNeuro), established in 2012 with support from the Government of Alberta, is a province-wide neuroscience network connecting the all post-secondary institutions across Alberta to increase the impact of neuroscience and mental health research, education and translation, developing the province as an epicenter for neuroscience excellence. Through collaborative partnerships with researchers, government and health system stakeholders, industry and community organizations, ABNeuro supports and accelerates innovative brain and mental health advances that improve brain health, patient care and quality of life in Alberta and beyond. For more information, please visit their webpage.
UCVM
The University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) is a Canadian veterinary school located in Calgary, Alberta at the University of Calgary. The faculty was established in 2005 to meet Alberta’s need for highly skilled veterinary graduates to support rural Alberta, production animal and equine industries, animal and human health research, and public health. Before the establishment of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary, the only veterinary school in western Canada was the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. UCVM offers DVM & Graduate Programs, Advanced Clinical Training, Pathology & Diagnostic Services, and conducts research in animal and human health. For more information, please visit their webpage.
TOSI
The Tanenbaum Open Science Institute (TOSI) was founded to drive the adoption of Open Science across Canadian neuroscience research institutes. In addition to promoting Open Science within The Neuro, TOSI engages in strategic collaborations and partnerships through its Open Science Support and Partnership Framework. Through the Framework TOSI supports and guides other institutes in adopting Open Science practices and principles and establishes an alliance of neuroscience research institutes across Canada committed to Open Science. For more information, please visit their webpage.
CIHR INMHA
The Canadian Institute for Health Research, Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA) supports research to enhance mental health, neurological health, vision, hearing, and cognitive functioning and to reduce the burden of related disorders through prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation. For more information, please visit their webpage.
Doric Lenes
Doric Lenses produces specialty light sources, fiber photometry systems, miniature fluorescence microscopes and much more. For more information, please visit their webpage.