Utility of Patterned Electrical Stimulation for Controlling Cell Behavior

该项目的目的是确定电刺激是否可以提供与目前使用的化学因素混合物相似或可能更高水平的神经细胞行为控制。为了实现这一目标，首席研究员（PI）提出了两个具体目标：1。比较不同的刺激模式与化学因素改变细胞行为的能力；作为一个模型，PI将检查从程序性细胞死亡（PCD）中拯救的神经元。2. 通过测量钙敏感级联网络不同线性分支的信号活动，比较不同刺激模式和化学因子对钙敏感级联网络的影响。如果电刺激和化学刺激能引起类似的效果，那么对细胞行为的控制将取得重大进展。

The objective of this project is to establish whether electrical stimulation can provide similar, or potentially greater, levels of control over neural cell behavior as the cocktails of chemical factors currently used. To achieve this objective, two specific aims are put forth by the Principal Investigator (PI): 1. Compare different patterns of stimulation with chemical factors in their abilities to alter cellular behavior; as a model, the PI will examine rescuing neurons from programmed cell death (PCD). 2. Compare different patterns of stimulation with chemical factors in effects on the calcium-sensitive cascade network by measuring the signaling activity in different linear branches of the network. If electrical and chemical stimuli can elicit similar effects, then a significant improvement in control over cellular behavior will be achieved.