Leveraging Open Datasets from the Allen Brain Observatory for Computational Neuroscience

Organizers

Saskia de Vries | Allen Institute, Seattle, USA
Josh Siegle  | Allen Institute, Seattle, USA

Abstract

This program will teach participants how to take advantage of Allen Brain Observatory data, via hands-on tutorials and a showcase of scientific talks. Our publicly available datasets include both 2-photon calcium imaging and dense electrophysiological recordings from the visual cortex of awake mice. The data has been collected under highly standardized conditions using rich visual stimulus sets, to facilitate comparisons across experiments and recording modalities. These readily accessible, well-documented datasets can be used by the community to test new analysis methods, evaluate models of neural function, or generate ideas for targeted studies.

We will begin by introducing participants to the scientific motivation and technical details of the Allen Brain Observatory experiments. We will then demonstrate how to use the AllenSDK, an open-source Python library that provides a convenient interface for data retrieval and analysis. A hands-on tutorial will prepare participants to dive in to their own analysis of these neural recordings. In the second half of the workshop, invited speakers from both inside and outside the institute will provide examples of work that has already been carried out with Allen Brain Observatory data.

Schedule