Neuroscience Applications
Aurora Scientific has developed innovative test systems used in olfactory research to validate odors presented to specimens and to track pheromone and plume dispersion. In addition, Aurora Scientific utilizes their Dual-Mode muscle levers as mechanical stimulators to provide a precise, controlled force output for use by researchers measuring neuronal response to touch, pain and stretch. Furthermore, many neurophysiologists study an interdisciplinary field of neuroscience and muscle physiology looking at neural activation and sensory feedback of muscle tissue. Aurora Scientific’s Dual-Mode levers aid in characterizing muscle mechanics in models of neural regeneration and disease.
Key Aurora Scientific neuroscience research applications are listed below.
Olfaction
Understanding how the brain and nervous system process olfactory stimuli requires very precise instrumentation. Odor stimuli are incredibly dynamic as their profile and composition can move and change very quickly. Aurora Scientific instrumentation has been used by multiple Nobel Laureates to sense and quantify olfactory stimulus dynamics with the highest temporal resolution available.
Common Applications:
- neural response
- odour dynamics
- temporal coding
- olfactory repair
Popular Systems:
Suggested Resources:
- Schoonover et al. “Representational drift in primary olfactory cortex” Nature (2021) DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03628-7
- Schoonover et al. “Representational drift in primary olfactory cortex” Nature (2021) DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03628-7
- Bhattacharjee et al. “Quantitative assessment of olfactory dysfunction accurately detects asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers” EClinical Medicine (2020) DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100575
Pheromone & Plume Tracking
The way insects and animals are able to track plumes and pheromones has far reaching implications on the survival of crops, the balance of the species and ultimately humanity. Tracking and understanding how these dynamic stimuli behave requires sensitive instruments with high temporal resolution. Aurora Scientific has designed specialized instruments specifically for plume tracking research.
Common Applications:
- odor plume tracking
- insect flight behaviour
- pheromone trails
- robotic plume tracking
- source location
- plume release
Popular Systems:
Suggested Resources:
- Suver et al. “Encoding of Wind Direction by Central Neurons in Drosophila” Neuron (2019) DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.03.012
- Cheng et al. “Olfactory and Neuromodulatory Signals Reverse Visual Object Avoidance to Approach in Drosophila” Current Biology (2019) DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.05.010
Pain & Nociception
To understand neural responses such as pain and touch, it is necessary to apply and mimic tactile stimuli in a manner that is repeatable. Inevitable variability comes with the application of manual stimuli through the use of conventional von Frey hairs. Leading researchers in the field of nociception trust Aurora Scientific mechanical stimulators because they are versatile enough for use in a broad range of protocols and provide precise, reproducible results.
Common Applications:
- pain & sensory research
- mechanical nociception
- tactile discrimination
- neural communication
- vibrotactile stimuli
Popular Systems:
Suggested Resources:
- Boyd et al. “Elevated dietary ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids induce reversible peripheral nerve dysfunction that exacerbates comorbid pain conditions” Nature Metabolism (2021) DOI: 10.1038/s42255-021-00410-x
- Emanuel et al. “Cortical Responses to Touch Reflect Subcortical Integration of LTMR Signals” Nature (2021) DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04094-x
- Al-Basha et al. “Intermittent Failure of Spike Propagation in Primary Afferent Neurons during Tactile Stimulation” The Journal of Neuroscience (2019) DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0975-19.2019
Explore Neuroscience Content
Neuronal Reorganization in Response to Odor
This publication review takes a look at two recent studies that examined the mouse olfactory bulb with help from Aurora Scientific olfaction instruments.
Best of 2021: Neuroscience – Olfaction and Somatosensation
Spatial arrangement of Ret+ and TrkB+ Meissner afferent cutaneous endings. Image courtesy of Neubarth et al., 2020. This publication review summarizes some of the
How to Calibrate a 200B miniPID Using the Simple Gas Mixing Technique
The 200B miniPID is a fast response gas sensor commonly used in olfaction research as a validation tool to ensure a repeatable odor profile is being delivered to the
Tips and Tricks for Troubleshooting the 200B miniPID
Here we will cover some of the more common issues that researchers encounter when using our miniPID Fast Response Olfaction Sensor. If you encounter an issue with your device, please