Objective
NEURODOCK will enable a new generation of neuroscience experiments in which animals themselves determine when neural recordings occur. Recent advances in two-photon microscopy allow researchers to record and manipulate the activity of tens of thousands of neurons in awake mice with cellular precision. However, these powerful technologies still rely on manual handling, head fixation, and experimenter-scheduled sessions. As a result, experiments are short, human-centred, and often stressful for animals, limiting the study of natural behaviours such as sleep and reducing experimental throughput.
NEURODOCK proposes a transformative solution: an automated neural implant docking system that allows mice to voluntarily initiate freely moving experiments. When a mouse enters a dedicated arena, the system will automatically attach a head-mounted two-photon microscope to its neural implant. Once docked, the platform will relocate previously identified neurons and perform neural recording and optogenetic manipulation triggered by behavioural or physiological states. When the mouse leaves the arena, the microscope will automatically detach, allowing the animal to return to its communal environment.
This approach will enable self-paced, around-the-clock all-optical physiology, allowing experiments to run continuously without direct experimenter supervision. By integrating automated docking with open-source behavioural tracking and advanced microscopy technologies, NEURODOCK will create the first platform enabling fully autonomous neural recording and manipulation in freely behaving animals.
The result will be a step change in experimental capability: dramatically larger datasets, improved animal welfare, and new opportunities to study brain activity during natural behaviours, sleep, and learning across extended timescales.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology implants
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2026-POC
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
08193 Cerdanyola Del Valles
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.