IMAGING THE CUPULA AND SEMICIRCULAR CANAL IN SITU

在这个项目中，我们将寻求解决分歧的根源 从毛细胞和丘脑输出的强直和时相反应 前庭系统。具体地说，我们将确定在 编码的前庭输出可归因于：(1)顶端运动和 毛细胞立体纤毛偏转的区域变异；(2)传入 以不同方式(在数字上和/或区域上)由 毛细胞；和/或(3)传入细胞可能对 发射机量子。这将通过协调一致的 包括所描述的模拟研究的跨学科工作 贯穿整个计划项目的申请。西尔弗的实验室将 重点研究了立体纤毛图像的获取和分析 通过开发数字视频，在头部移位过程中的杯状运动 一种直接观察、分析和关联的光学显微镜方法 细胞内亚细胞、细胞和超细胞结构的运动 与前庭功能相关的前庭末梢器官(VEO) 以蟾鱼(Opsanus Tau)迷宫为模型系统，里夫斯团队将 专注于先进的分析成像方法。高质量的图像 建立结构需要VEO组件的性能 这些基本的机电传感器的功能关系， 尤其是考虑到合作取得的进展 毛细胞电生理学和计算模型实验室。 在这两种情况下，关于实际动议和罚款的详细信息 这些换能器的机械位移在 缺乏实际的实验。最近，Silver与 海斯坦，完成了直接视频光学显微成像 机巧迷宫中的个体立体纤毛。为了实现我们的项目目标 我们将：(1)开发一种能够视频观察和 胸纤毛和杯状运动的原位记录 同时电生理记录；(2)描述分 在VEO运动过程中这些结构的微米位移通过 图像数据的计算表示(即，经处理的图像， 等值面和等体积)以帮助测试奇偶性 实际VEO运动之间的对应关系(此工作)， 电生理性能和动力学模拟。整合 所开发的信息将有助于评估正常和 在正常和微重力环境下VEO表现异常。

In this project we will seek to resolve the origin of differences in tonic and phasic response output from the hair cell and cupula of the vestibular system. Specifically, we will determine if differences in encoded vestibular output is attributable to: (1) cupula motion and regional variation in hair cell stereociliary deflection; (2) afferents that are differentially (numerically and/or regionally) innervated by hair cells; and/or (3) that afferents may respond differentially to a transmitter quantum. This will be accomplished through a coordinated interdisciplinary effort encompassing simulation studies described throughout this program project application. Silver's laboratory will focus upon the acquisition and analysis of images of sterociliary and cupular movements during head displacement, by developing a digital video light microscopic method for directly observation, analysis and relating movements of sub-cellular, cellular and supra-cellular structures in the vestibular end organ (VEO) related with vestibular function, using the toadfish (Opsanus tau) labyrinth as the model system, Reeves' group will focus upon advanced analytical imaging methods. High quality imagery of the performance of VEO components is needed to establish the structure function relationships of these essential mechano-electrical transducers, especially in light of the advances made by the collaborating laboratories in hair cell electrophysiology and computational modeling. In both cases, detailed information about the actual motions and fine mechanical displacements of these transducers obtained on-line during and actual experiment is lacking. Recently, Silver, in collaboration with Highstein, accomplished direct video light microscopic imaging of individual stereocilia in tact labyrinths. To achieve our project goals we will: (1) develop a light microscope capable of video observation and recording of sterociliary and cupular movements in situ in concert with concurrent electrophysiological recordings; (2) describe the sub- micrometer displacements of these structures during VEO movements via computational representations of image data (i.e., processed imagery, isosurfaces and isovolumes) to aid in testing for the parity correspondence among actual VEO movements (this work), electrophysiological performance and kinetic simulations. Integration of the information developed will facilitate assessment of normal and dysfunctional VEO performance in normal, and microgravity environments.