Axel Nimmerjahn, PhD

Associate Professor

Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Center

Salk Institute for Biological Studies - Publications

all Publications


Schafer, S.T., Mansour, A.A., Schlachetzki, J.C.M., Pena, M., Ghassemzadeh, S., Mitchell, L., Mar, A., Quang, D., Stumpf, S., Ortiz, I.S., Lana, A.J., Baek, C., Zaghal, R., Glass, C.K., Nimmerjahn, A., Gage, F.H. An in vivo neuroimmune organoid model to study human microglia phenotypes. (2023) Cell. 186(10):2111-2126.e20. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.04.022

+ expand abstract


Shekhtmeyster, P., Duarte, D., Carey, E.M., Ngo, A., Gao, G., Olmstead, J.A., Nelson, N.A., Nimmerjahn, A. Trans-segmental imaging in the spinal cord of behaving mice. (2023) Nature Biotechnology. DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-01700-3

+ expand abstract


Shekhtmeyster, P., Carey, E.M., Duarte, D., Ngo, A., Gao, G., Nelson, N.A., Clark, C.L., Nimmerjahn, A. Multiplex translaminar imaging in the spinal cord of behaving mice. (2023) Nature Communications. 14(1):1427. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36959-2

+ expand abstract


Ward, S., Riley, C., Carey, E.M., Nguyen, J., Esener, S., Nimmerjahn, A., Sirbuly, D.J. Electro-optical mechanically flexible coaxial microprobes for minimally invasive interfacing with intrinsic neural circuits. (2022) Nature Communications. 13(1):3286. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30275-x

+ expand abstract


Oliinyk, O.S., Baloban, M., Clark, C.L., Carey, E., Pletnev, S., Nimmerjahn, A., Verkhusha, V.V. Single-domain near-infrared protein provides a scaffold for antigen-dependent fluorescent nanobodies. (2022) Nature Methods. DOI: 10.1038/s41592-022-01467-6

+ expand abstract


Nimmerjahn, A., Hirrlinger, J. Astrocyte regulation of neural circuit function and animal behavior. (2022) Glia. DOI: 10.1002/glia.24223


Hirrlinger, J., Nimmerjahn, A. A perspective on astrocyte regulation of neural circuit function and animal behavior. (2022) Glia. DOI: 10.1002/glia.24168

+ expand abstract


Abdelfattah, A.S., Ahuja, S., Akkin, T., Allu, S.R., Brake, J., Boas, D.A., Buckley, E.M., Campbell, R.E., Chen, A.I., Cheng, X., Čižmár, T., Costantini, I., De Vittorio, M., Devor, A., Doran, P.R., El Khatib, M., Emiliani, V., Fomin-Thunemann, N., Fainman, Y., Fernandez-Alfonso, T., Ferri, C.G.L., Gilad, A., Han, X., Harris, A., Hillman, E.M.C., Hochgeschwender, U., Holt, M.G., Ji, N., Kılıç, K., Lake, E.M.R., Li, L., Li, T., Mächler, P., Miller, E.W., Mesquita, R.C., Nadella, K.M.N.S., Nägerl, U.V., Nasu, Y., Nimmerjahn, A., Ondráčková, P., Pavone, F.S., Perez Campos, C., Peterka, D.S., Pisano, F., Pisanello, F., Puppo, F., Sabatini, B.L., Sadegh, S., Sakadzic, S., Shoham, S., Shroff, S.N., Silver, R.A., Sims, R.R., Smith, S.L., Srinivasan, V.J., Thunemann, M., Tian, L., Tian, L., Troxler, T., Valera, A., Vaziri, A., Vinogradov, S.A., Vitale, F., Wang, L.V., Uhlířová, H., Xu, C., Yang, C., Yang, M.H., Yellen, G., Yizhar, O., Zhao, Y. Neurophotonic tools for microscopic measurements and manipulation: status report. (2022) Neurophotonics. 9(Suppl 1):013001. DOI: 10.1117/1.NPh.9.S1.013001

+ expand abstract


Huang, Y., Happonen, K.E., Burrola, P.G., O'Connor, C., Hah, N., Huang, L., Nimmerjahn, A., Lemke, G. Microglia use TAM receptors to detect and engulf amyloid β plaques. (2021) Nature Immunology. DOI: 10.1038/s41590-021-00913-5

+ expand abstract


Ceto, S., Sekiguchi, K.J., Takashima, Y., Nimmerjahn, A., Tuszynski, M.H. Neural Stem Cell Grafts Form Extensive Synaptic Networks that Integrate with Host Circuits after Spinal Cord Injury. (2020) Cell Stem Cell. DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.07.007

+ expand abstract


Nimmerjahn, A. Monitoring neuronal health. (2020) Science. 367(6477):510-511. DOI: 10.1126/science.aba4472


Patriarchi, T., Cho, J.R., Merten, K., Marley, A., Broussard, G.J., Liang, R., Williams, J., Nimmerjahn, A., von Zastrow, M., Gradinaru, V., Tian, L. Imaging neuromodulators with high spatiotemporal resolution using genetically encoded indicators. (2019) Nature Protocols. 14(12):3471–3505. DOI: 10.1038/s41596-019-0239-2

+ expand abstract


Nelson, N.A., Wang, X., Cook, D., Carey, E.M., Nimmerjahn, A. Imaging spinal cord activity in behaving animals. (2019) Experimental Neurology. 230:112974. DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.112974

+ expand abstract


Patriarchi, T., Cho, J.R., Merten, K., Howe, M.W., Marley, A., Xiong, W.H., Folk, R.W., Broussard, G.J., Liang, R., Jang, M.J., Zhong, H., Dombeck, D., von Zastrow, M., Nimmerjahn, A., Gradinaru, V., Williams, J.T., Tian, L. Ultrafast neuronal imaging of dopamine dynamics with designed genetically encoded sensors. (2018) Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.aat4422

+ expand abstract


Tufail, Y., Cook, D., Fourgeaud, L., Powers, C.J., Merten, K., Clark, C.L., Hoffman, E., Ngo, A., Sekiguchi, K.J., O'Shea, C.C., Lemke, G., Nimmerjahn, A. Phosphatidylserine Exposure Controls Viral Innate Immune Responses by Microglia. (2017) Neuron. 93(3):574-586.e8. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.12.021

+ expand abstract


Sekiguchi, K.J., Shekhtmeyster, P., Merten, K., Arena, A., Cook, D., Hoffman, E., Ngo, A., Nimmerjahn, A. Imaging large-scale cellular activity in spinal cord of freely behaving mice. (2016) Nature Communications. 7:11450. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11450

+ expand abstract


Fourgeaud, L., Través, P.G., Tufail, Y., Leal-Bailey, H., Lew, E.D., Burrola, P.G., Callaway, P., Zagórska, A., Rothlin, C.V., Nimmerjahn, A., Lemke, G. TAM receptors regulate multiple features of microglial physiology. (2016) Nature. 532(7598):240-244. DOI: 10.1038/nature17630

+ expand abstract


Nimmerjahn, A., Bergles, D.E. Large-scale recording of astrocyte activity. (2015) Current Opinion in Neurobiology. 32:95-106. DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2015.01.015

+ expand abstract


Knowland, D., Arac, A., Sekiguchi, K.J., Hsu, M., Lutz, S.E., Perrino, J., Steinberg, G.K., Barres, B.A., Nimmerjahn, A., Agalliu, D. Stepwise recruitment of transcellular and paracellular pathways underlies blood-brain barrier breakdown in stroke. (2014) Neuron. 82(3):603-17. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.03.003

+ expand abstract


Devor, A., Bandettini, P.A., Boas, D.A., Bower, J.M., Buxton, R.B., Cohen, L.B., Dale, A.M., Einevoll, G.T., Fox, P.T., Franceschini, M.A., Friston, K.J., Fujimoto, J.G., Geyer, M.A., Greenberg, J.H., Halgren, E., Hämäläinen, M.S., Helmchen, F., Hyman, B.T., Jasanoff, A., Jernigan, T.L., Judd, L.L., Kim, S.G., Kleinfeld, D., Kopell, N.J., Kutas, M., Kwong, K.K., Larkum, M.E., Lo, E.H., Magistretti, P.J., Mandeville, J.B., Masliah, E., Mitra, P.P., Mobley, W.C., Moskowitz, M.A., Nimmerjahn, A., Reynolds, J.H., Rosen, B.R., Salzberg, B.M., Schaffer, C.B., Silva, G.A., So, P.T., Spitzer, N.C., Tootell, R.B., Van Essen, D.C., Vanduffel, W., Vinogradov, S.A., Wald, L.L., Wang, L.V., Weber, B., Yodh, A.G. The challenge of connecting the dots in the B.R.A.I.N. (2013) Neuron. 80(2):270-4. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.09.008

+ expand abstract


Nimmerjahn, A. Two-photon imaging of microglia in the mouse cortex in vivo. (2012) Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. 2012(5). DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot069294

+ expand abstract


Nimmerjahn, A. Optical window preparation for two-photon imaging of microglia in mice. (2012) Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. 2012(5). DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot069286

+ expand abstract


Nimmerjahn, A. Surgical implantation of a head plate in mice in preparation for in vivo two-photon imaging of microglia. (2012) Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. 2012(5). DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot069278

+ expand abstract


Nimmerjahn, A., Helmchen, F. In vivo labeling of cortical astrocytes with sulforhodamine 101 (SR101). (2012) Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. 2012(3):326-34. DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot068155

+ expand abstract


Kerr, J.N., Nimmerjahn, A. Functional imaging in freely moving animals. (2012) Current Opinion in Neurobiology. 22(1):45-53. DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2011.12.002

+ expand abstract


Tremblay, M., Stevens, B., Sierra, A., Wake, H., Bessis, A., Nimmerjahn, A. The role of microglia in the healthy brain. (2011) Journal of Neuroscience. 31(45):16064-9. DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4158-11.2011

+ expand abstract


Ghosh, K.K., Burns, L.D., Cocker, E.D., Nimmerjahn, A., Ziv, Y., Gamal, A.E., Schnitzer, M.J. Miniaturized integration of a fluorescence microscope. (2011) Nature Methods. 8(10):871-8. DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.1694

+ expand abstract


Mukamel, E.A., Nimmerjahn, A., Schnitzer, M.J. Automated analysis of cellular signals from large-scale calcium imaging data. (2009) Neuron. 63(6):747-60. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2009.08.009

+ expand abstract


Nimmerjahn, A., Mukamel, E.A., Schnitzer, M.J. Motor behavior activates Bergmann glial networks. (2009) Neuron. 62(3):400-12. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2009.03.019

+ expand abstract


Nimmerjahn, A. Astrocytes going live: advances and challenges. (2009) Journal of Physiology. 587(Pt 8):1639-47. DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2008.167171

+ expand abstract


Flusberg, B.A., Nimmerjahn, A., Cocker, E.D., Mukamel, E.A., Barretto, R.P., Ko, T.H., Burns, L.D., Jung, J.C., Schnitzer, M.J. High-speed, miniaturized fluorescence microscopy in freely moving mice. (2008) Nature Methods. 5(11):935-8. DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.1256

+ expand abstract


Sullivan, M.R., Nimmerjahn, A., Sarkisov, D.V., Helmchen, F., Wang, S.S. In vivo calcium imaging of circuit activity in cerebellar cortex. (2005) Journal of Neurophysiology. 94(2):1636-44. DOI: 10.1152/jn.01013.2004

+ expand abstract


Nimmerjahn, A., Kirchhoff, F., Helmchen, F. Resting microglial cells are highly dynamic surveillants of brain parenchyma in vivo. (2005) Science. 308(5726):1314-8. DOI: 10.1126/science.1110647

+ expand abstract


Dittgen, T., Nimmerjahn, A., Komai, S., Licznerski, P., Waters, J., Margrie, T.W., Helmchen, F., Denk, W., Brecht, M., Osten, P. Lentivirus-based genetic manipulations of cortical neurons and their optical and electrophysiological monitoring in vivo. (2004) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 101(52):18206-11. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0407976101

+ expand abstract


Göbel, W., Kerr, J.N., Nimmerjahn, A., Helmchen, F. Miniaturized two-photon microscope based on a flexible coherent fiber bundle and a gradient-index lens objective. (2004) Opt Lett. 29(21):2521-3.

+ expand abstract


Nimmerjahn, A., Kirchhoff, F., Kerr, J.N., Helmchen, F. Sulforhodamine 101 as a specific marker of astroglia in the neocortex in vivo. (2004) Nature Methods. 1(1):31-7. DOI: 10.1038/nmeth706

+ expand abstract


Göbel, W., Nimmerjahn, A., Helmchen, F. Distortion-free delivery of nanojoule femtosecond pulses from a Ti:sapphire laser through a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber. (2004) Optics Letters. 29(11):1285-7.

+ expand abstract


Kim, J., Dittgen, T., Nimmerjahn, A., Waters, J., Pawlak, V., Helmchen, F., Schlesinger, S., Seeburg, P.H., Osten, P. Sindbis vector SINrep(nsP2S726): a tool for rapid heterologous expression with attenuated cytotoxicity in neurons. (2004) Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 133(1-2):81-90.

+ expand abstract


Education

MS, Physics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research/University of Heidelberg, Germany
PhD, Physics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research/University of Heidelberg, Germany
Postdoctoral Fellow, Biology and Applied Physics, Stanford University


Affiliations


Awards & Honors

  • National Institutes of Health Brain Initiative U19, 2021-present
  • National Institutes of Health Brain Initiative Award, 2017-2020
  • National Institutes of Health Eureka Award, 2013-2018
  • National Institutes of Health Director’s New Innovator Award, 2012-2017
  • Rita Allen Scholar Award, 2011-2016
  • Whitehall Foundation Award, 2011-2014
  • Human Frontiers Science Program (HFSP) Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2006-2009
  • Du Bois-Reymond Award of the German Physiologic Society, 2006
  • Otto-Hahn Medal and Award of the Max Planck Society, 2006
  • Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, 2006
  • Böhringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) Predoctoral Fellowship, 2002-2005

Profile