Investigating how neural populations map abstract task rules during spatial navigation requires behavioral setups where physical paths and environmental rules can be dynamically altered across trials. El-Gaby et al. addressed this in their 2024 @Nature paper by adopting the open-source pyControl GridMaze. This system provides a modular 3x3 grid of platforms connected by automated, removable bridges, with integrated nose-pokes and fluid delivery on each node. It allowed the researchers to program complex, multi-step state machines that ran with high-precision temporal synchronization alongside neural recording systems. This level of behavioral automation allowed the team to track how the brain represents transitions between abstract behavioral states as mice navigated changing physical layouts. Read at length👉nature.com/articles/s41586-0… @GabyMohamady, @jcrwhittington, Arya Bhomick Adam Lloyd Harris, William Dorrell, @WaltonLabNeuro Thomas Akam, @behrenstimb While the design is open-source, building a 3x3 platform array with nine independent nodes, multiple motorized bridges, and integrated sensor routing in-house is a massive engineering task. Get the pre-assembled, quality tested, reliable hardware from us-labmaker.org/products/pycont…

How do we scale behavioral neuroscience without getting bogged down by rigid, expensive commercial operant hardware? Thomas Akam and team at the @UniofOxford developed pyControl, an open-source, Python-based hardware and software system designed to simplify complex behavioral experiments elifesciences.org/articles/6… As part of expanding our pyControl offerings, we are offering the pyControl GridMaze - pre-assembled, quality-controlled, and read-to-deploy. Explore here👉labmaker.org/products/pycont… Image credits: Adapted from the original paper. #neuroscience #behavior #opensourcehardware #OSHW

Debuting at booth #80 is our latest addition- the pyControl GridMaze. Know more 👉labmaker.org/collections/neu… Come visit us at booth #80 to see the demo! #neuroscience #FENS2026 #OpenSourceHardware #OSHW

Scenes from booth #80 at #FENS2026. On display: Miniscope v4, LFOV, KineMouse Wheel, and more along with the the new GridMaze. Know more about the pyControl GridMaze👉labmaker.org/collections/neu… Open hardware expands experimental flexibility, but in-house building can lead to massive technical overhead. Come explore pre-assembled, QC-tested open tools from us! #neuroscience #opensourcehardware #OSHW

We are officially live at #FENS2026 and ready to welcome you to the Booth #80. Come to explore our range of open-source hardware! ✅ Ready to deploy 💪 Reliable & standardized 🎁Special debut: We are unveiling a brand-new tool at our booth today! Come, let's talk open science! #neuroscience #opensourcehardware #OSH

Standard miniscopes miss the bigger picture by restricting calcium imaging fields. The UCLA Miniscope LFOV expands the imaging area to record larger neural populations across distinct cortical regions. Explore:labmaker.org/collections/neu… Visit Booth #80 at #FENS2026 to explore this and more from the open science community! #OSHW #opensource #neuroscience #Miniscopes #Microscopy #FENS2026

In vivo calcium imaging struggles with focus drift during long trials. The open-source UCLA Miniscope v4 uses an internal liquid lens for electronic focus adjustments in a 2.6g body, keeping data stable without handling the animal. Explore more: labmaker.org/collections/min… Visit Booth #80 at #FENS2026 to explore this and more from the open science community! #OSHW #opensource #neuroscience #Miniscopes #Microscopy