Simultaneous Physiology and 3-D Morphology of Neurons and Glial Cells

该项目将开发一种集成的共聚焦光学显微镜和电生理学设备，用于观察细胞培养中的活星形胶质细胞和神经元，以及组织中的神经元，提供对不同生化和生理刺激的三维图像和生理反应的同步记录。两个神经胶质细胞项目利用一个具有良好特性的模型系统来研究由于受体刺激、机械应力和离子摄取而引起的生化和形态变化。神经元研究利用从海兔和海马片分离的神经节。在海兔中，电压钳测量将与介质渗透压、离子强度和组成的变化的三维形态相关联。我们已经演示了在这些条件下的音量变化。我们将在海马片上研究局部电路和细胞间的通讯。所有的项目都使用共聚焦光学显微镜，并在适当的情况下使用高压电子显微镜。

This project will develop an integrated confocal light microscope and electrophysiology facility for observing living astroglia and neurons in cell culture, and neurons in tissue, providing the simultaneous recording of three-dimensional images and physiologic responses for different biochemical and physiologic stimuli. Two glial cell projects utilize a well characterized model system to study biochemical and morphologic changes due to receptor stimulation, mechanical stress, and ion uptake. The neuron studies utilize isolated ganglia from Aplysia and hippocampal slices. In Aplysia voltage-clamp measurements will be correlated with three-dimensional morphology for variations in media osmolarity, ionic strength, and composition. We have demonstrated volume changes under these conditions. Local circuits and cell-to-cell communication will be studied in hippocampal slices. All of the projects utilize confocal light microscopy, and when appropriate high-voltage electron microscopy.