Multiphoton microscopy is a powerful tool in brain research as it can monitor and modulate neural activity at cellular resolution over large field of view. We combine hardware innovations and computational algorithms to enable high-throughput calcium imaging and holographic optogenetics.

High-speed neural imaging with multiplexed miniaturized two-photon microscopy (selected as the cover article of Cell Reports Methods December 2025 issue) [Cell Reports Methods 2025]

High-speed two-photon microscopy with adaptive line-excitationin vivo [Optica 2024]

Simultaneous multiplane imaging of mice cortical activity in vivo [Neuron 2016]

3D optogenetics and volumetric imaging of mice cortical activity in vivo [elife 2018]

Selected Publications

• Z. Zhang, S.J. Liu, B. Mattison, J. Muir, N. Spurr, C.K. Kim, W. Yang, “High-speed neural imaging with multiplexed miniaturized two-photon microscopy,” Cell Reports Methods 5, 101221 (2025). [Link] [selected as the cover article of Cell Reports Methods December 2025 issue]
• Y. Li, S. Guo, B. Mattison, J. Hu, K. N. M. Man, and W. Yang, “High-speed two-photon microscopy with adaptive line-excitation,” Optica 11, 1138-1145 (2024). [Link] [highlighted as a press release from Optica Publishing Group] [selected as the cover article of Optica August 2024 issue] [featured in "Optics in 2024" by Optics & Photonics News]
• W. Yang, “Manipulating neuronal circuits, in concert,” Science 373, abj5260 (2021). [Link]
• S. Han*, W. Yang*, and R. Yuste, "Two-color volumetric imaging of neuronal activity of cortical columns," Cell Reports 27, 2229-2240.E4 (2019).[Link] *Equal contribution.
• W. Yang, and R. Yuste, "Holographic imaging and photostimulation of neural activity," Current Opinion in Neurobiology 50, 211-221 (2018).[Link]
• W. Yang, L. Carrillo-Reid, Y. Bando, D. S. Peterka, and R. Yuste, "Simultaneous two-photon imaging and two-photon optogenetics of cortical circuits in three dimensions," eLife 7, e32671 (2018).[Link]
• W. Yang, and R. Yuste, "In vivo imaging of neural activity," Nature Methods 14, 349-359 (2017).[Link]
• W. Yang, J. K. Miller, L. Carrillo-Reid, E. Pnevmatikakis, L. Paninski, R. Yuste, and D. S. Peterka, "Simultaneous multi-plane imaging of neural circuits," Neuron 89, 269-284 (2016).[Link]
• E. Pnevmatikakis, D. Soudry, Y. Gao, T. Machado, J. Merel, D. Pfau, T. Reardon, Y. Mu, C. Lacefield, W. Yang, M. Ahrens, R. Bruno, T. Jessell, D. S. Peterka, R. Yuste, and L. Paninski, "Simultaneous denoising, deconvolution, and demixing of calcium imaging data," Neuron 89, 285-299 (2016).[Link]

Computational imaging is an emerging field that jointly optimizes the imaging hardware and object reconstruction algorithms to achieve desired imaging quality. Leveraging recent advance in rapid prototyping of 3D micro optics as well as machine learning, we develop new imaging devices with advanced properties and functions such as compact footprint, 3D imaging and high acquisition speed.

DeepInMiniscope: Deep learning–powered physics-informed integrated miniscope [Science Advances 2025]

GEOMScope: Large field-of-view 3D lensless microscopy with low computational complexity (selected as the inside front cover article of Laser & Photonics Reviews August 2021 issue) [Laser & Photonics Reviews 2021]

Deep compressed imaging via optimized pattern scanning (selected as the cover article of Photonics Research March 2021 issue) [Photonics Research 2021]

Selected Publications

• F. Tian, B. Mattison, W. Yang, “DeepInMiniscope: Deep learning–powered physics-informed integrated miniscope,” Science Advances 11, eadr6687 (2025). [Link]
• Y. Li, Z. Zhang, F. Tian, Y. Luna-Palacios, I. Rocha-Mendoza, W. Yang, “V-shaped PSF for 3D imaging over an extended depth of field in wide-field microscopy,” Optics Letters 50, 383-386 (2025). [Link]
• F. Tian, W. Yang, “Learned lensless 3D camera,” Optics Express 30, 34479-34496 (2022). [Link] [highlighted as a press release from Optica Publishing Group]
• F. Tian, J. Hu, W. Yang, “GEOMScope: Large field-of-view 3D lensless microscopy with low computational complexity,” Laser & Photonics Reviews 15, 2100072 (2021). [Link] [selected as the inside front cover article of Laser & Photonics Reviews August 2021 issue]
• K. Zhang, J. Hu, and W. Yang, “Deep compressed imaging via optimized pattern scanning,” Photonics Research 9, B57-B70 (2021).[Link] [selected as the cover article of Photonics Research March 2021 issue and highlighted by the journal]

Photonics could play an important role in the next generation of biomedical devices and systems. We aim to exploit the rich physics of light-matter interaction and develop new modality of light generation, manipulation and detection, with an emphasis for biomedical applications.

Metalens array miniaturized microscope for large-field-of-view imaging [Optics Communications 2023]

High speed optical phased array [Optics Express 2014]

Self-wavelength-swept high contrast grating vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser [Scientific Reports 2015]

Selected Publications

• J. Hu, W. Yang, “Metalens array miniaturized microscope for large-field-of-view imaging,” Optics Communications 555, 130231 (2024).[Link]
• P. Qiao, W. Yang, and C. Chang-Hasnain, "Recent advances in high-contrast metastructures, metasurfaces and photonic crystals," Advances in Optics and Photonics 10, 180-245 (2018).[Link]
• W. Yang, S. A. Gerke, K. W. Ng, Y. Rao, C. Chase and C. J. Chang-Hasnain, "Laser Optomechanics," Scientific Reports 5, 13700 (2015).[Link]
• W. Yang, T. Sun, Y. Rao, M. Megens, T. Chan, B.-W. Yoo, D. A. Horsley, M. C. Wu and C. J. Chang-Hasnain, "High speed optical phased array using high contrast grating all-pass filters," Optics Express 22, 20038-20044 (2014).[Link]
• C. J. Chang-Hasnain and W. Yang, "High contrast gratings for integrated optoelectronics," Advances in Optics and Photonics 4, 379-440 (2012).[Link]

Understand how neural circuit works could be a key step towards deciphering how the brain works. Using advanced technologies, we study the functional organization and plasticity of neural circuits.

Imprinting cortical ensembles by photostimulation training [Science 2016]

Controlling visually guided behavior by holographic recalling of cortical ensembles [Cell 2019]

Selected Publications

• J.P. Hamm, Y. Shymkiv, S. Han, W. Yang, and R. Yuste, "Cortical ensembles selective for context," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 118, e2026179118 (2021).[Link]
• Q. Liu, Y. Jiao, W. Yang, B. Gao, D. K. Hsu, J. Nolta, M. Russell, B. Lyeth, T. P. Zanto, and M. Zhao, "Intracranial alternating current stimulation facilitates neurogenesis in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease," Alzheimer's Research & Therapy 12, 89 (2020).[Link]
• L. Carrillo-Reid, S. Han, W. Yang, A. Akrouh, and R. Yuste, "Controlling Visually Guided Behavior by Holographic Recalling of Cortical Ensembles," Cell 178, 447-457.e5 (2019).[Link]
• L. Carrillo-Reid, W. Yang, J. K. Miller, D. S. Peterka and R. Yuste, "Imaging and optically manipulating neuronal ensembles," Annual Review of Biophysics 46, 271-293 (2017).[Link]
• L. Carrillo-Reid, W. Yang, Y. Bando, D. Peterka, and R. Yuste, "Imprinting and recalling cortical ensembles," Science 353, 691-694 (2016). [Link]