Understanding how deep brain structures like the claustrum shape cortical dynamics requires both mechanistic insight and technical innovation. In the first part of this talk, I will present recent findings on how the claustrum modulates neuronal dynamics in the dorsal prefrontal cortex (dPFC). Using two-photon calcium imaging combined with optogenetic stimulation of claustrum axons, we identified distinct neuronal subpopulations with altered responsiveness to combined visual and optogenetic inputs. Claustrum activation enhanced both neural variability and network homogeneity — effects that persisted during Pavlovian training. Silencing experiments further revealed that the claustrum may operate bidirectionally to maintain elevated variability and coordinated activity in the dPFC. In the second part, I will introduce a practical adaptive optics-assisted three-photon (3P) imaging system developed to enable deep functional imaging in behaving mice. Motivated by the challenge of imaging the claustrum, we implemented a three-tier correction strategy targeting aberrations from the microscope, cranial window, and tissue. This approach significantly improved resolution and signal quality across distinct cortical regions and will support direct imaging of the claustrum and other deep brain structures in future studies.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Huriye Atilgan is a Sir Henry Wellcome Fellow in the Lak Lab. Her research focuses on how sensory information is transformed into internal neural representations that guide learning, decision-making, and action. She combines behavioral paradigms with advanced optical imaging techniques — including two-photon and three-photon microscopy with adaptive optics — to study the dynamics of neural circuits in the prefrontal cortex and deep brain regions such as the claustrum. Huriye completed her PhD in Auditory Neuroscience at University College London in the lab of Professor Jennifer Bizley, where she investigated multisensory integration and auditory scene analysis. She then pursued postdoctoral training in Alex Kwan’s lab at Yale University, focusing on the role of the medial prefrontal cortex in value-based decision-making. She joined the University of Oxford in 2020, where she has since led projects on claustrum-prefrontal interactions and developed deep imaging methodologies to enable high-resolution recordings during behavior. Her work has been recognized with numerous fellowships and awards, and she continues to contribute to both fundamental neuroscience and the development of novel experimental approaches.