3-D digital morphology of neurons and glia cells

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The aim of the present project is to develop the methods of 3-D morphometrical analysis of the CNS utilizing the digitized structural images acquired by means of light and electron optical techniques by the collaboration of leading researchers inside and outside of the country, and apply these techniques for the brain research.Hama, Arii, Ellisman group is assigned to remodel the HVEM system in NIPS for accurate computer tomography of thick biological specimens, and to develop computer technique to support this system. Now HVEM serial tomography system in NIPS is available for researchers inside and outside the country. This group also developed several new fluorescent dyes essential for the optical digital imaging.Murakami, Wilson group : They utilized facilities in NIPS and UCSD and analyzed the process of synapse formation between corticorubral terminals and ruburospinal neurons. It was concluded that spine-like dendritic protrusions may play a crucial role in synaptogenic interaction during the development of the CNS.Kosak, Wilson group : They developed the dissector method application for the quantitative analysis of chemically identified neurons in the CNS using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CFLSM). They also utilized HVEM in NIPS and quantitatively analyzed the dendritic spines in dorsal and ventral hippocampus.Ohtsuka, Habara, and Stell group : They utilized CFLSM in NIPS and analyzed the process of photo-pigment synthesis in the retina and calcium signaling in variety of exciting cells.Through this project an international center of HVEM computer tomography for biological materials is established in NIPS which is most accurate and reliable one in the world.