SimplyFire: An Open-Source, Customizable Software Application for the Analysis of Synaptic Events

Abstract

We have developed an open-source software for neuroscientists to analyze electrophysiological recordings. Named SimplyFire, the software gives the users the flexibility to analyze a variety of recordings using an interactive graphical user interface or as an importable Python package. The software features a simple plugin structure that allows users to create and deploy various electrophysiology analysis tools. SimplyFire is pre-packaged with tools commonly used in electrophysiology, such as noise filtering, trace averaging, miniature analysis, and trace exporting. We discuss in detail the algorithm behind the different features of the analysis tool. We verify the accuracy of the algorithm by testing the software using computer-generated traces with known true values of the events. SimplyFire will be distributed under the GPLv3.0 license. The open nature of this software will allow interested investigators to modify and expand the software for additional capabilities as needed. We believe this software will not only compete with commercially available software packages but will also present a powerful tool to meet the current and unmet needs of electrophysiologists.