Biomechanics & Electrophysiology: New Approaches to Physiological Questions

小行星9350860 该项目的目标是双重的：（1）向学生介绍动物生理学生物力学的新领域，（2）扩大学生在神经生物学高级实验室的参与和复杂性。为此，我们建议开发一个数据采集工作站，具有Macintosh VX计算机，高速模数转换板和LabVIEW软件。与我们目前的系统不同，该工作站具有编程功能、高采样率、多通道和可调增益。通过六个工作站，动物生理学的学生可以设计和执行运动的生物力学实验，无脊椎动物的进食，以及脊椎动物肌肉的动态功率输出。这些新的实验也可以通过增加SVHS视频设备，让学生记录和分析动物的运动。在神经生物学中，我们建议教授脑切片电生理学的复杂技术。学生将使用脑切片电生理学测量哺乳动物大脑中不同细胞的电相互作用。 通过让学生有机会学习生物力学和电生理学的先进技术，我们正在向他们介绍新的方法来解决困扰生理学家的问题：（1）动物如何移动，进食，以及肌肉施加的限制（如果有的话）？(2)神经系统的细胞如何"学习"、对压力作出反应、建立和维持膜电位？

9350860 Long The goals of this project are two-fold: (1) to introduce students to the new field of biomechanics in Animal Physiology, and (2) to expand the participation and sophistication of students in the advanced laboratory in Neurobiology. To this end, we propose to develop a data-acquisition work-station, featuring a Macintosh VX computer, a high-speed analog-to- digital board, and LabVIEW software. Unlike our current system, this workstation has programming capabilities, high sample rates, multiple channels, and adjustable gains. With six work- stations, students in Animal Physiology can design and perform experiments on the biomechanics of locomotion, feeding in invertebrates, and the dynamic power output of vertebrate muscle. These new experiments are also made possible by the addition of SVHS video equipment that allows students to record and analyze animal motions. In Neurobiology, we propose to teach the sophisticated technique of brain slice electrophysiology. Students will measure the electrical interactions of different cells in the mammalian brain using brain slice electrophysiology. By giving students the opportunity to learn advanced techniques in biomechanics and electrophysiology, we are introducing them to new ways to address questions that have puzzled, and continue to puzzle, physiologists: (1) How do animals move, feed, and what, if any, limits do muscles impose? (2) How do the cells of the nervous system "learn," respond to stress, and establish and maintain electrical membrane potentials?