IMAGING THE CUPULA AND SEMICIRCULAR CANAL IN SITU

在这个项目中，我们将寻求解决分歧的根源， 从毛细胞和壶腹的紧张性和相位性反应输出 前庭系统 具体来说，我们将确定 编码的前庭输出可归因于：（1）吸盘运动， 毛细胞静纤毛偏转的区域性变化;（2）传入 差异（数字和/或区域）受 毛细胞;和/或（3）传入神经可能对毛细胞的反应不同。 发射器量子 这将通过一个协调的 跨学科的努力，包括模拟研究描述 在整个项目申请过程中。 银的实验室将 专注于获得和分析立体睫状体的图像， 通过开发数字视频， 光学显微镜直接观察分析关联法 体内亚细胞、细胞和超细胞结构的运动 前庭终末器官（VEO）与前庭功能的关系，使用 以蟾鱼（Opsanus tau）迷宫为模型系统，Reeves的研究小组将 专注于先进的分析成像方法。 高质量的图像， VEO组件的性能是建立结构所必需的 这些基本机电换能器的功能关系， 特别是在合作取得进展的情况下 毛细胞电生理学和计算建模实验室。 在这两种情况下，关于实际运动和罚款的详细信息 这些传感器的机械位移在线获得， 缺乏实际的实验。 近日，银与 海斯坦，完成了直接视频光学显微镜成像， 个体静纤毛在完整的触角中。 实现我们的项目目标 我们将：（1）开发一种能够进行视频观察的光学显微镜， 原位记录体纤毛和杯状运动， 并发电生理记录;（2）描述亚- VEO运动期间这些结构的微米位移， 图像数据的计算表示（即，经过处理的图像， 等值面和等值体积），以帮助检验奇偶性 实际VEO运动之间的对应关系（这项工作）， 电生理性能和动力学模拟。 一体化 所开发的信息将有助于评估正常和 在正常和微重力环境中，VEO的性能不正常。

In this project we will seek to resolve the origin of differences in tonic and phasic response output from the hair cell and cupula of the vestibular system. Specifically, we will determine if differences in encoded vestibular output is attributable to: (1) cupula motion and regional variation in hair cell stereociliary deflection; (2) afferents that are differentially (numerically and/or regionally) innervated by hair cells; and/or (3) that afferents may respond differentially to a transmitter quantum. This will be accomplished through a coordinated interdisciplinary effort encompassing simulation studies described throughout this program project application. Silver's laboratory will focus upon the acquisition and analysis of images of sterociliary and cupular movements during head displacement, by developing a digital video light microscopic method for directly observation, analysis and relating movements of sub-cellular, cellular and supra-cellular structures in the vestibular end organ (VEO) related with vestibular function, using the toadfish (Opsanus tau) labyrinth as the model system, Reeves' group will focus upon advanced analytical imaging methods. High quality imagery of the performance of VEO components is needed to establish the structure function relationships of these essential mechano-electrical transducers, especially in light of the advances made by the collaborating laboratories in hair cell electrophysiology and computational modeling. In both cases, detailed information about the actual motions and fine mechanical displacements of these transducers obtained on-line during and actual experiment is lacking. Recently, Silver, in collaboration with Highstein, accomplished direct video light microscopic imaging of individual stereocilia in tact labyrinths. To achieve our project goals we will: (1) develop a light microscope capable of video observation and recording of sterociliary and cupular movements in situ in concert with concurrent electrophysiological recordings; (2) describe the sub- micrometer displacements of these structures during VEO movements via computational representations of image data (i.e., processed imagery, isosurfaces and isovolumes) to aid in testing for the parity correspondence among actual VEO movements (this work), electrophysiological performance and kinetic simulations. Integration of the information developed will facilitate assessment of normal and dysfunctional VEO performance in normal, and microgravity environments.