Biomechanics & Electrophysiology: New Approaches to Physiological Questions

9350860 Long这个项目的目标有两个：(1)向学生介绍动物生理学的生物力学新领域，(2)扩大学生在高级神经生物学实验室的参与度和成熟度。为此，我们建议开发一种数据采集工作站，其特点是采用Macintosh VX计算机、高速模数转换卡和LabVIEW软件。与我们目前的系统不同，该工作站具有编程能力、高采样率、多通道和可调增益。动物生理学专业的学生拥有6个工作站，可以设计和进行无脊椎动物的运动、摄食和脊椎动物肌肉的动态功率输出的生物力学实验。这些新的实验也是由于增加了SVHS视频设备，使学生能够记录和分析动物的动作。在神经生物学中，我们建议教授脑片电生理学的复杂技术。学生将使用脑片电生理学测量哺乳动物大脑中不同细胞的电相互作用。通过让学生有机会学习生物力学和电生理学的先进技术，我们向他们介绍了新的方法来解决生理学家一直困惑并继续困惑的问题：(1)动物如何移动、进食，以及肌肉施加的限制是什么？(2)神经系统细胞如何“学习”，对压力做出反应，并建立和保持电膜电位？

9350860 Long The goals of this project are two-fold: (1) to introduce students to the new field of biomechanics in Animal Physiology, and (2) to expand the participation and sophistication of students in the advanced laboratory in Neurobiology. To this end, we propose to develop a data-acquisition work-station, featuring a Macintosh VX computer, a high-speed analog-to- digital board, and LabVIEW software. Unlike our current system, this workstation has programming capabilities, high sample rates, multiple channels, and adjustable gains. With six work- stations, students in Animal Physiology can design and perform experiments on the biomechanics of locomotion, feeding in invertebrates, and the dynamic power output of vertebrate muscle. These new experiments are also made possible by the addition of SVHS video equipment that allows students to record and analyze animal motions. In Neurobiology, we propose to teach the sophisticated technique of brain slice electrophysiology. Students will measure the electrical interactions of different cells in the mammalian brain using brain slice electrophysiology. By giving students the opportunity to learn advanced techniques in biomechanics and electrophysiology, we are introducing them to new ways to address questions that have puzzled, and continue to puzzle, physiologists: (1) How do animals move, feed, and what, if any, limits do muscles impose? (2) How do the cells of the nervous system "learn," respond to stress, and establish and maintain electrical membrane potentials?