Microscope and tissue preparation core facility for the molecular and neuroanatomical dissection of neurocircuits

用于神经回路分子和神经解剖学解剖的显微镜和组织制备核心设施

• 批准号: 458794-2014
• 负责人: Walker, ClaireDominique
• 金额: $ 10.89万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2013-01-01 至 2014-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=542042
• 关键词: Microscope; tissue; preparation; core; facility

Research aimed at deciphering brain function, and crosstalk between the various brain regions is critical for understanding mental and neurological disorders, but also to apprehend the integrated mechanisms of the brain in relation with other physiological systems. Since highly complex processes are involved, accurate and efficient ways of monitoring neuronal cell function and their connections are needed. In particular, one needs to assess gene and protein expression in different tissues under various normal and pathological conditions, as well as in response to drugs that represent potential targets for treatment. This application is to request funding for a core facility that will allow to process brain tissues from the collection phase (perfusion table) and preparation (cryostat, vibratome) to the analysis of genes and proteins using specialized fluorescence microscopy. This equipment will be used to study how the various regions of the brain are interconnected in broad networks and how genes and proteins are modified in these networks when animal models of mental illness are examined. Building on a complete behavioral assessment of the animals using facilities already in place at the Douglas Institute, this facility will enable us to link the biochemical and genetic changes to the behavioral impairments that often characterize mental pathologies. We wish to use this facility to enhance the potential of various aspects of our research in particular the NSERC research programs of each of the applicants, which rely heavily on the use of the equipment included in this core facility. An additional benefit of acquiring this equipment will be improved training of undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral fellows in cellular and molecular techniques: the use of the advanced and powerful technology of the requested facility will constitute an important part of their diversified training in neuroscience.

旨在破译大脑功能和不同脑区之间的串扰的研究对于理解精神和神经疾病至关重要，也是理解大脑与其他生理系统之间的综合机制的关键。由于涉及到非常复杂的过程，因此需要准确而有效的方法来监测神经元细胞的功能及其连接。特别是，人们需要评估不同组织在各种正常和病理条件下的基因和蛋白质表达，以及对代表潜在治疗靶点的药物的反应。这项申请是为了申请一个核心设施的资金，该设施将允许处理从采集阶段(灌注表)和准备(恒温器、振荡器)到使用专门的荧光显微镜分析基因和蛋白质的脑组织。这种设备将被用来研究大脑的不同区域如何在广泛的网络中相互连接，以及当检查精神疾病的动物模型时，这些网络中的基因和蛋白质是如何被修改的。在使用道格拉斯研究所现有设施对动物进行完整的行为评估的基础上，这个设施将使我们能够将生化和遗传变化与通常以精神病理为特征的行为障碍联系起来。我们希望利用这一设施来增强我们研究的各个方面的潜力，特别是每个申请者的NSERC研究计划，这些计划严重依赖于这一核心设施中包括的设备的使用。购买这种设备的另一个好处是改善本科生和研究生以及博士后在细胞和分子技术方面的培训：使用所要求的设施的先进和强大的技术将构成他们在神经科学方面多样化培训的重要组成部分。