Utility of Patterned Electrical Stimulation for Controlling Cell Behavior

该项目的目标是确定电刺激是否可以提供与目前使用的化学因素鸡尾酒一样的、或潜在更高水平的对神经细胞行为的控制。为了实现这一目标，首席调查员(PI)提出了两个具体的目标：1.比较不同刺激模式和化学因素改变细胞行为的能力；作为一个模型，PI将检验将神经元从程序性细胞死亡(PCD)中拯救出来。2.通过测量钙敏感级联网络不同线性分支的信号活性，比较不同刺激方式和化学因素对钙敏感级联网络的影响。如果电刺激和化学刺激也能产生类似的效果，那么对细胞行为的控制就会有显著的改善。

The objective of this project is to establish whether electrical stimulation can provide similar, or potentially greater, levels of control over neural cell behavior as the cocktails of chemical factors currently used. To achieve this objective, two specific aims are put forth by the Principal Investigator (PI): 1. Compare different patterns of stimulation with chemical factors in their abilities to alter cellular behavior; as a model, the PI will examine rescuing neurons from programmed cell death (PCD). 2. Compare different patterns of stimulation with chemical factors in effects on the calcium-sensitive cascade network by measuring the signaling activity in different linear branches of the network. If electrical and chemical stimuli can elicit similar effects, then a significant improvement in control over cellular behavior will be achieved.