Tim's doing ephys work looking at the effects of perineuronal nets on the remarkably fast spiking properties of auditory brainstem neurons. Action shots from the lab below:
Making mouse brain slices just a few hundred microns thick allows visually targeted recordings. The machine is like a tiny deli meat slicer with a vibrating blade; the brain is chilled first to minimize cell death.
Brain slices rest comfortably in oxygenated artificial cerebrospinal fluid to allow neurons to recover and damaged tissue to slough off for better recordings.
Slice in place, ready for recording using a patch clamp electrode. To keep the slice alive, the ACSF bath is constantly circulated and reoxygenated.
Tim and Yeowool plus rig
After the traditional inaugural wrestling with the acquisition software, a first patch, break in, and whole cell recording! Where ever the neuron may be, it appears to have at least passive membrane properties. And perhaps receives inhibitory input?
BUT WAIT!!! Via the magic of sodium channel deinactivation and post inhibitory rebound, we see a regenerative depolarization of some kind! It's official...Tim has recorded the first action potential of the summer.
Sadly, we had not firmly established a prize for first recording, so eternal fame via this widely read blog will have to suffice as a reward.
No comments:
Post a Comment