CAREER: Physiological Responses and Anatomical Pathways Involved in the Generation of an Immune Response

Griffin9983624CAREER：参与免疫反应产生的生理反应和解剖学途径最近的研究表明，在发烧期间，可以在大脑的一个区域（下丘脑）中发现活动增加，该区域参与体温的调节。据推测，该区域的神经元及其在大脑中的特定连接对于响应感染而产生发热的能力很重要。该研究项目的目标是表征这些神经元的固有活动及其对化学信使前列腺素E2的反应，前列腺素E2是由大脑在感染期间产生的，可能会引发发烧。实验室大鼠下丘脑的脑组织薄片将在一个小的温度室中进行测试。神经元也将被染色以显示它们的连接并识别特定的化学信使。此外，该项目将让学生参与所有研究工作，并通过使用新形式的教育技术将神经科学研究带入课堂。该项目将导致综合研究和教育计划的发展，使学生能够在神经生物学领域进行调查。具体的项目将集中在大脑在正常情况下控制体温的能力，以及对感染的反应，当温度上升时，称为发烧。虽然发烧是一种天然的防御机制，旨在提高抵抗感染的能力，但温度的极端升高可能会对内脏造成永久性损伤，甚至死亡。随着现代临床医学的出现，重要的是要了解发热产生的机制，以便控制这种反应，从而提高效益和限制风险。

Griffin9983624CAREER: Physiological Responses and Anatomical Pathways Involved in the Generation of an Immune Response Recent research has shown that during a fever, increased activity can be identified in one area of the brain, the hypothalamus, which is involved in the regulation of body temperature. It has been hypothesized that neurons in this region and their specific connections within the brain are important in the ability to produce a fever in response to an infection. The goal of this research project is to characterize the inherent activity of these neurons and their responses to the chemical messenger prostaglandin E2, which is produced by the brain during an infection and may trigger fevers. Thin slices of brain tissue from the hypothalamus of laboratory rats will be tested in a small temperature chamber. Neurons will also be color stained to show their connections and identify specific chemical messengers. In addition, this project will involve students in all research efforts and bring neuroscience research into the classroom through the use of new forms of education technology. This project will result in the development of an integrated research and educational program, allowing students to conduct investigations in the field of neurobiology. Specific projects will focus on the ability of the brain to control body temperature during normal conditions and in response to an infection, when temperature rises in a response known as a fever. While the production of a fever is a natural defense mechanism designed to enhance the ability to fight infection, extreme elevations in temperature can cause permanent damage to internal organs and even death. With the advent of modern clinical medicine, it is important to understand the mechanisms involved in the production of a fever, so that this response can be controlled, resulting in enhanced benefits and limited risk.