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QuestionMark edited this page Feb 4, 2026 · 1 revision

Welcome to the COMET wiki! [COMET Wiki] [Miniscope DAQ Software Wiki] [Miniscope DAQ Firmware Wiki]

COMET: Cortex-wide Observational Miniature Epifluorescence Technique enables single-cell resolution imaging of large cortical neuron populations in freely moving mice.

The goal of this Wiki, and the Miniscope project in general, is to help advance and disseminate miniature microscopy technology to the neuroscience community. While the Miniscope platform described here is not an off-the-shelf commercial solution, we have focused on making it as easy as possible for any neuroscience lab to build, use, and modify, requiring no soldering and only simple hands-on assembly. The Miniscope project, Miniscope repositories, and Miniscope.org are ongoing projects and will be routinely updated over the coming months and years.

The COMET is capable of multiple imaging configurations, including deep brain imaging using implanted optical probes and cortical imaging through cranial windows. Some feature highlights are listed below.

    Specifications:

    • Field of View: up to 10-mm in diameter
    • Resolution: single cell_ resolution
    • Working Distance: ~5mm working distance
    • Illumination: Optimized led ring excitation for even illuminiation across the field of view
    • Optics: customized optical system for miniature abberations across the field of view
    • Photo-Bleaching: Low photo-bleaching even after _two hours of continuous imaging
    • Weight: 3.75 grams
    • Impact on Subjects: Combined with integrated active commutator(Torque-free),essentially there is no impact on the free behavior of mice even during two hours of continuous imaging
    • Orientation Sensor: Absolute head orientation sensor
    • Focal Adjustment: electronic focal adjustment(optional)
    • Imaging Performance: stable imaging performance even in the electroshock paradigm and two hours of continuous imaging paradigm

The COMET is inspired by UCLA opensource miniscope project. The COMET interfaces to a Miniscope DAQ Box through a thin, flexible 50Ohm coaxial cable. The Miniscope DAQ Box needs to be programmed with the COMET DAQ firmware which can be found in the Built_Firmware folder of the Miniscope DAQ Firmware repository of UCLA. The DAQ Box then connects to a Windows computer over USB3 and the computer needs to be running the Miniscope DAQ Software.

How to build and use the COMET

The COMET platform consists of 1) the head-mounted COMET, 2) Miniscope DAQ Software, and a 3) Miniscope DAQ box running 4) Miniscope DAQ Firmware. Below is how we suggest you get familiar with these projects and links to everything you need to get up and running:

1) Getting familiar with this wiki and the COMET.

  • Visit the Part List page to understand what the COMET is built from.
  • Visit the Miniscope Part Procurement and Buyer's Guide pages for some suggested ways of procuring the necessary parts to build a COMET. Much of the Miniscope is constructed from off the shelf parts and optics but there are some custom components, namely the Miniscope body parts and the Miniscope Rigid-Flex PCB. This repository provides everything you need to fabricate these custom components yourself but we are also working with open-source distribution companies to try and make these custom components available from multiple sources at affordable pricing.
  • Visit the Assemblyguide to understand how to assemble a COMET.
  • Visit the Initial Testing of Assembled Miniscope to read how to validate your system before imaging in animals.

2) Getting familiar with the Miniscope DAQ Software from UCLA miniscope project.

3) and 4) Getting familiar with the Miniscope DAQ Box

The MiniLFOV works with all previously released Miniscope DAQ Boxes and PCBs. All you need to do is make sure the DAQ Box's firmware is up-to-date with the newest Miniscope DAQ Firmware.

Additional Information

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