Neuropixels: big data heaven or burying the lead in averages?

Talking Techniques

In this special episode of Talking techniques, one of two recorded at Neuroscience 2022, we speak to Tim Harris (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, VA, USA). Tim is the creator of Neuropixels, neural recording probes inserted into the brains of animal models, which allow researchers to collect signals from hundreds of individual neurons in different brain regions simultaneously over extended periods of time.

Here, he shares the story behind his creation and details how they have changed the data collection landscape in Neuroscience. Tim also considers every inventor’s greatest concern: has his invention led to purely positive outcomes for the field? By enabling the collection of huge datasets have Neuropixels led to studies that bury findings in vast swathes of data or have they enabled researchers to collect enough information to discover the emphatic truth?

Listen now to find out Tim’s opinions on these contentious debates in neuroscience and get key tips for utilizing neuropixels!

Contents:

• Introduction: 00:00-03:00
• Tim's symposium on the capabilities of Neuropixels: 03:00-04.00
• Key takeaways from the symposium: 04:00-07:45
• The story of the development of neuropixels: 07:45-13:50
• Best practice tips for utilizing neuropixels: 13:50-15:15
• Challenges of utilizing neuropixels: 15:15-15:50
• Addressing the challenge of big data and sharing uncertainty: 15:50-17:30
• How neuropixels have accelerated neuroscience data generation: 17:30-19:30

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