A collaborative research team from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the University of Colorado Boulder has successfully developed a cutting-edge miniature microscope, dubbed the Opto2P FCM. This remarkable device empowers scientists to observe and precisely manipulate individual brain cells in real time, even as animals move about freely. This groundbreaking achievement is poised to accelerate research into the mechanisms governing brain behavior control and foster a deeper understanding of neurological diseases. The relevant research paper detailing this innovation has been published in the latest edition of the journal Optica.