An Update on Diamond Voltage Imaging: All Aboard the Big Rig

Speaker: Dr Daniel McCloskey (UoM)
Date: Thursday 1pm – 2pm AEST
Zoom: Click here to join the seminar

Abstract:
Voltage imaging encompasses a range of techniques which can spatially resolve variations in local electric potential. In biology, voltage imaging currently requires the use of a fluorescent label which, besides being subject to photobleaching time constraints, can introduce toxic effects to biological systems and prohibit the imaging of static potential gradients. Several efforts are currently underway to realise label-free voltage imaging microscopy, and within QUBIC our approach is to utilise charge state switching of shallow fluorescent defects in diamond. While significant progress has been made using ensembles of shallow nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres, there remain challenges in realising label-free, sub-cellular resolution voltage imaging over large fields of view using this technique. In this talk, I will recap the progress made within QUBIC so far, including the first label-free images of dynamic neuronal membrane potential changes, before moving to our present efforts to increase both the scale of imaging and the number of biological targets accessible with the end goal of demonstrating functional, electrophysiological phenotyping of cultured neuronal networks for preclinical screening of neuro-pharmaceutical compounds.

Bio:
Daniel is a McKenzie postdoctoral fellow in the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne. His main research focus is the application of diamond-based quantum and optoelectronic sensors for imaging bioelectric and electrochemical signatures for both fundamental and applied biomedical research. He also conducts experimental research in surface and materials science, wide-bandgap electronics, and photonics. Daniel received B. Eng (engineering physics) and B. Sc (applied mathematics) degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, in 2017, and is a recipient of the Canada Governor General’s Academic Medal. He received his PhD (physics) from the University of Melbourne in 2021.