Biochemical measures of gene expression networks and neural circuits.

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One of the most fascinating aspects of the mammalian brain is that it is plastic. That is, it displays the ability to change in response to experience. Neuroplasticity underlies all types of experience-driven, long-term changes brain function. It is a fundamental process that promotes lasting changes in behaviour. Whereas plasticity can lead to changes that promote adaptive behaviours, such as learning, social recognition, and associative memory, it can also promote maladaptive changes, such as nociceptive hypersensitivity and addiction. Numerous coordinated cellular and molecular events take place in the mammalian brain to orchestrate behaviour, and decades of research have shown that neurons possess the capacity to change their function, genetic profile, and structure. Despite this, a complete understanding of the basic mechanisms involved in neuroplasticity is still lacking, and we still do not fully understand how neuronal circuits change in response to experience. Moreover, as neuroplasticity represents fundamental processes that promote both adaptive and maladaptive changes in behaviour, such as memory and nociceptive hypersensitivity, an important question remains: Do all neuroplasticity systems work the same way, or are there specific neuroplastic changes associated with specific experiences? Toward this end, the PI and co-applicants work with female and male mice and rats, across different stages of neurodevelopment, to investigate normal and aberrant brain function. We are a diverse group of neuroscience researchers that will utilize the requested equipment to measure protein, DNA, and RNA in tissue samples. By measuring these molecules, we will gain a deeper understanding of how brain function changes in response to experience. We are requesting an advanced system that will enable measures of multiple targets in one sample, yielding powerful analyses that allow for strong, confident interpretations of data. Our experiments will measure activity-dependent changes in protein expression levels, and enzyme-dependent modifications of proteins. This equipment will be heavily used by numerous trainees, who will gain valuable skills in molecular biology, providing them with important skills towards careers in industry and biotechnology sectors.