Open Lab Online workshops on Bonsai – July sessions now open

[Mateusz Kostecki]

Hello,

Good morning everyone,

We are happy to announce two new upcoming Open Lab Online workshops on Bonsai this July.

Bonsai is an open-source reactive programming language that is particularly useful for modern behavioral neuroscience experiments. It allows users to synchronize multiple data streams, precisely deliver stimuli, and run experiments in closed-loop settings, while integrating signals and devices from different systems. From calcium imaging and sound recordings to sensors, feeders, motors, and stimulus delivery systems, Bonsai offers a flexible and powerful way to build experimental workflows.

These workshops are part of our 3-module online course of increasing difficulty, designed to progressively introduce participants to Bonsai and its practical applications.

Introduction to Bonsai (Module I)
July 13, 2026 | 16:00–17:00 CEST (UTC+2)

In this first module, participants will be introduced to the basics of Bonsai — its logic, syntax, and potential applications. The workshop will also cover animal tracking, ROI detection, closed-loop paradigms, and basic logical operations.

Instructor: Jagoda Nawrocka, University of Warsaw
Fee: EUR 10, with fee waivers available upon request
Registration: https://nenckiopenlab.org/event/introduction-to-bonsai-module-i-4/

Introduction to Bonsai (Module II)
July 16, 2026 | 16:00–17:30 CEST (UTC+2)

In this second module, we will move on to more advanced aspects of working with Bonsai. The workshop will introduce the BonVision library for visual stimulus presentation and VR applications, and explore how to combine multiple data streams to build more complex and interactive behavioral paradigms. We will also cover behavioral subjects and variable control across different branches of a workflow.

Instructor: Mateusz Kostecki, Heidelberg University
Fee: EUR 10, with fee waivers available upon request
Registration: https://nenckiopenlab.org/event/introduction-to-bonsai-module-ii-2/

We would also like to warmly invite you to join our Open Lab Online Discord, which serves as a space for discussion, exchange, and community around open tools and methods. Important workshop updates and information are also shared there.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at ope...@nencki.edu.pl or reach out to us on Discord.

Best wishes,

The Open Lab Online team