Publications

Chronically implantable μ LED arrays for optogenetic cortical surface stimulation in mice

Greer Ryan, Verdier Antonin, Butt Emma, Cheng Yunzhou, Callas Ella, McAlinden Niall, Aniorte Alicia, Mabrouk Kakaouia Eya, Pereyra Magdalena, Dawson Martin D, Bathellier Brice, Mathieson Keith

Nature Communications Vol 17 (2026)

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-68191-5

Depth-resolved fiber photometry of amyloid plaque signals in freely behaving Alzheimer’s disease mice

Byron Nicole, McAlinden Niall, Pisano Filippo, Pisanello Marco, Ferreira Jacques, Montinaro Cinzia, Mathieson Keith, De Vittorio Massimo, Pisanello Ferruccio, Sakata Shuzo

Neurophotonics Vol 12 (2025)

https://doi.org/10.1117/1.NPh.12.3.035014

In vivo optogenetics using a Utah Optrode Array with enhanced light output and spatial selectivity

McAlinden Niall, Reiche Christopher F, Clark Andrew M, Scharf Robert, Cheng Yunzhou, Sharma Rohit, Rieth Loren, Dawson Martin D, Angelucci Alessandra, Mathieson Keith, Blair Steve

Journal of Neural Engineering Vol 21 (2024)

https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/ad69c3

An optrode array for spatiotemporally-precise large-scale optogenetic stimulation of deep cortical layers in non-human primates

Clark Andrew M, Ingold Alexander, Reiche Christopher F, Cundy III Donald, Balsor Justin L, Federer Frederick, McAlinden Niall, Cheng Yunzhou, Rolston John D, Rieth Loren, Dawson Martin D, Mathieson Keith, Blair Steve, Angelucci Alessandra

Communications Biology Vol 7 (2024)

https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-05984-2

An optrode array for spatiotemporally precise large-scale optogenetic stimulation of deep cortical layers in non-human primates

Clark Andrew M, Ingold Alexander, Reiche Christopher F, Cundy III Donald, Balsor Justin L, Federer Frederick, McAlinden Niall, Cheng Yunzhou, Rolston John D, Rieth Loren, Dawson Martin D, Mathieson Keith, Blair Steve, Angelucci Alessandra

(2023)

https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.02.09.479779

Towards optogenetic cortical implants for hearing impaired

Greer Ryan, Cheng Yunzhou, McAlinden Niall, Verdier Antonin, Bathellier Brice, Mathieson Keith

EMBC 2022 (2022)

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Research Interests

• Photonics
• Developing new imaging techniques for Neuroscience
• Developing new photonic devices for Optogenetics

Professional Activities

DEEPER - FINAL REVIEW MEETING

Participant

9/9/2025

Braincoder

Participant

20/2/2025

microLED devices for optogenetic applications

Speaker

11/7/2020

Getting light into the brain

Speaker

6/3/2020

Compact microLED optrode device for patterned inter-cortical optogenetics

Speaker

1/2/2020

OPTOGEN 2018

Participant

3/12/2018

More professional activities

Projects

Licence Agreement

McAlinden, Niall (Principal Investigator)

Licence Agreement between University of Strathclyde and OptogeniX

08-Jan-2026

A wireless device for tapered fibre optogenetics

McAlinden, Niall (Principal Investigator) Mathieson, Keith (Academic) Stoyanov, Svetoslav (Researcher)

There is a growing demand for wireless, site-specific optogenetic devices that enable precise neural modulation without constraining naturalistic animal behaviour. Tapered optical fibres are commonly used in optogenetics because they enable multisite and large-volume illumination within a minimally invasive probe, while also serving as both excitation and collection elements for fibre photometry. Their tapered geometry acts as a mode demultiplexer: higher-order modes emit near the base of the taper, whereas lower-order modes emit closer to the tip. However, achieving controlled mode-selective coupling into multimode fibres typically requires bulky optical hardware, meaning that in vivo experiments rely on tethered fibre-optic connections. These tethers restrict natural movement and limit the range of behavioural paradigms that can be explored.

To overcome these constraints, we have developed a lightweight (<3 g, including battery) wireless headstage capable of driving tapered‑fibre optogenetics. The system integrates a wireless communication module with a multi‑site light‑delivery module. The communication module consists of an STM microcontroller with integrated Bluetooth and an Intan digital electrophysiology stimulator/amplifier microchip which in this device supports electrical recording from four channels at up to 20 kHz sampling rate and provides sufficient current to drive four light sources. The light delivery module includes 4 edge-emitting semiconductor lasers which are mounted so that they couple into a fibre optic at different angles. This configuration enables independent illumination of four distinct sites along the tapered fibre.

01-Jan-2024

High-density chronic optogenetic interface for primate brains - Yr 1

Mathieson, Keith (Principal Investigator) McAlinden, Niall (Research Co-investigator)

01-Jan-2023 - 31-Jan-2025

Deep brain technologies to understand the cellular origin of diseases DEEPER

Mathieson, Keith (Principal Investigator) Sakata, Shuzo (Co-investigator) Wozny, Christian (Co-investigator) McAlinden, Niall (Research Co-investigator)

01-Jan-2021 - 30-Jan-2025

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Medical Devices and Health Technologies | McGleish, Olivia Mae

Mathieson, Keith (Principal Investigator) McAlinden, Niall (Co-investigator) McGleish, Olivia Mae (Research Co-investigator)

01-Jan-2018 - 26-Jan-2026

Optogenetic technologies

Mathieson, Keith (Principal Investigator) McAlinden, Niall (Researcher) Gunning, Deborah (Fellow) Sakata, Shuzo (Principal Investigator)

Development of novel light sources for optogenetic control of neural circuits.

01-Jan-2011

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