CRC: Chemical Approaches to Glial-Neuronal Networks

欧文河Epstein（Brandeis University），Rustem F.伊斯马吉洛夫（芝加哥大学）、安娜·林（杜克大学）和乔纳森·斯维德勒（芝加哥大学）得到联合支持，研究胶质神经元信号传递中涉及的化学过程。该合作项目包括制造拓扑定义良好的微通道网络以支持神经元和神经元-胶质细胞网络，大鼠海马培养物神经元和胶质细胞中钙水平的时间分辨成像，使用微流体工具对空间和时间定义的胶质细胞进行特异性刺激，先进的数据分析和建模。最近的研究表明，神经胶质细胞积极参与与神经元和其他神经胶质细胞之间的化学通讯。该项目的目标包括更好地理解神经胶质细胞在单个突触和神经网络中的作用，阐明网络拓扑结构与单个元素（细胞）动态之间的相互作用，以及开发和评估可应用于复杂化学和生物网络分析的方法。该项目通过化学合作研究计划（CRC）资助，为本科生，研究生和博士后学生提供了获得神经化学和生物分析化学知识和技能的绝佳机会。

Irving R. Epstein (Brandeis University), Rustem F. Ismagilov (University of Chicago), Anna Lin (Duke University) and Jonathan Sweedler (University of Chicago) are jointly supported to study the chemical processes involved in glial-neuronal signaling. The collaborative project includes fabrication of topologically well-defined networks of microchannels to support neuronal and neuron-glial networks, time-resolved imaging of the calcium levels in both neurons and glial cells of rat hippocampus cultures, specific stimulation of spatially and temporally defined glial cells using microfluidic tools, advanced data analysis and modeling. Recent research suggests that glial cells are actively involved in chemical communication with and between neurons and other glia. Goals of this project include a better understanding of the role of glial cells in individual synapses and in neural networks, elucidation of the interaction between the network topology and the dynamics of individual elements (cells), and the development and evaluation of methods that can be applied to the analysis of complex chemical and biological networks. This project is funded through the Collaborative Research in Chemistry Program (CRC) and provides outstanding opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students to acquire knowledge and skills in neurochemistry and bioanalytical chemistry.