Chinese scientists develop one-gram wireless Airscope microscope

A team of Chinese scientists, led by Dai Qunhai of Tsinghua University, has developed a wireless mesoscopic microscope named ‘Airscope’ that weighs only one gram. The device, whose findings were published in the journal Nature, allows for the recording of neural activity in the cerebral cortex of mice at single-cell resolution while the animals move freely in their natural environments.

Unlike existing microscopes that require mice to be tethered by cables or fixed in place, Airscope is ultra-lightweight and wireless. It utilizes four aspherical lenses to achieve single-cell resolution within a 6-millimeter field of view. This technology enables the simultaneous recording of over 8,500 neurons, which is approximately 25 times the capacity of existing similar devices.

The researchers used the device to observe complex behaviors, such as mice exploring a 5-square-meter habitat and navigating large mazes. Beyond neuroscience, the team suggests that the technology could advance optical brain-computer interfaces and expand into fields like immunology and oncology to track disease progression.