In vivo electrophysiology is a key technique in neuroscience, enabling the real-time monitoring of neuronal activities, with single-neuron resolution, in animals as they display natural behaviors. It's instrumental in exploring the neural dynamics during various behaviors and observing changes in conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

In vivo calcium imaging allows the observation of large groups of neurons in behaving animals, offering insights into brain function over time and in conditions like Alzheimer's. Using devices like miniscopes, it tracks individual neuron activity for weeks, shedding light on learning, memory, and disease progression at a cellular level.

In vitro electrophysiology, especially through the patch-clamp technique, is essential for studying the electrical properties of cells in tissue slices. It offers precise measurements of active and passive conductances to better understand how neurons process information. 

Fiber photometry tracks population-level brain activity by monitoring calcium or neurotransmitter levels, providing insights into neural circuit dynamics during behavior. It involves implanting optical fibers to measure fluorescence in specific brain areas, making it a vital tool for long-term in vivo studies.

Optogenetics merges genetics and optics to manipulate and observe neurons in living animals with high precision. By introducing light-sensitive proteins into specific neurons, researchers can control neural activity with light, uncovering the direct links between brain activity and behavior.

Chemogenetics, especially using DREADDs, allows precise control of neuronal activity in animals by introducing engineered receptors responsive to specific synthetic ligands. This method enables targeted, reversible manipulation of brain dynamics, aiding in the study of complex behaviors and diseases without the need for light activation, providing a unique approach in neuroscience research.

Rabies-mediated monosynaptic circuit tracing uses a modified rabies virus to map direct neural connections in the brain. By infecting designated starter neurons and spreading retrogradely to connected neurons, this technique provides a precise map of the brain's synaptic pathways, essential for understanding complex neural networks.

Transgenic mouse models play a crucial role in neuroscience, particularly in Alzheimer's disease research and cell-specific studies. They enable the replication of disease traits like amyloid-β plaques and tau tangles for understanding Alzheimer's pathology and testing treatments, despite challenges in mimicking human pathology fully. Additionally, models using Cre-expressing lines allow precise gene manipulation in specific neuron types, facilitating targeted studies on neural functions and disorders, significantly advancing our understanding of complex neurological conditions.

In computational neuroscience, my lab uses modeling to predict and interpret data, aiming for a balance between simplicity and biological realism. One focus is on Continuous Attractor Based Models of the Head Direction System, capturing how the brain maintains spatial orientation. Another aspect involves refining existing models with new data, ensuring they accurately reflect neural dynamics. This approach avoids overfitting and enhances the models' broad applicability, making them valuable for hypothesis testing and exploring fundamental neuroscience questions.