Core B Photochemistry Core

在活细胞中实时研究这种分子事件可以通过光学显微镜和生物探针的集成来完成，这些生物探针可以用来控制和监测细胞化学。细胞内产生的化学信号在大小、空间范围和时间进程方面往往是高度动态的，因此研究这种信号的实验必须在所有这些维度上测量和操纵它们。光化学技术利用笼状化合物(生物惰性的信使分子)，这些化合物可以被光激活。这为研究信令事件提供了一种独特而强大的方法，因为它以独立于消息的实际产生的方式提供了对消息分子的精确控制。此外，细胞化学的光控制提供了优势，因为取消的时间、位置和幅度是通过非常短的光脉冲来完成的，从而影响细胞内外笼状化合物极快的浓度跳跃。 新的基于激光的光学技术(如双光子显微镜)的发展往往超过了能够充分利用这种技术的新探测器的发明。因此，光化学核心的研究重点是与参与研究三方突触的其他神经科学家合作开发光生物探针。具体地说，Core将开发和供应笼状化合物和新型笼状发色团：笼状神经递质和笼状肽将由Core化学合成。此外，我们还将提供我们以前开发的笼状化合物(笼状钙、IP3、谷氨酸、GABA)。

The study of such molecular events in real time in living cells can be accomplished by the integration of light microscopy and bioprobes that can be used to control and monitor cell chemistry. Chemical signals generated inside cells are often highly dynamic in terms of size, spatial range and time course, so that experiments studying such signals must measure and manipulate them in all of these dimensions. Photochemical techniques make use of caged compounds (messenger molecules that are biologically inert) that are activated by light. This offers a uniquely powerful approach for the study of signalling events because it provides precise control of message molecules in a manner independent of the actual production of the message. Additionally, advantages are offered by the photo-control of cell chemistry because the timing, location and amplitude of uncaging are accomplished by a very brief pulse of light, affecting extremely rapid concentration jumps of the caged compounds outside or inside the cell. The development of new laser-based optical techniques (e.g. the two-photon microscope) often outstrips the invention of new probes that can take full advantage of such technologies. Therefore, the research in the Photochemical Core focuses on the development of photo-bioprobes in collaboration with the other neuroscientists involved in the study of the tripartite synapse. Specifically, the Core will develop and supply caged compounds and novel caging chromophores: caged neurotransmitters and caged peptides will be chemically synthesized by the Core. In addition we will supply caged compounds that we have previously developed (caged Ca, IP3, glutamate, GABA).