Multiphoton Micros메이저 바카라 사이트pe Probes Social Behavior in Zebrafish

The Ch메이저 바카라 사이트lenge

Neil Merovitch, PhD Candidate, at the University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children, is a neuroscience researcher who is highly motivated in part because of his lived experience with dystonia, a movement disorder. He states, “My research is currently focused on social behavior in zebrafish, a model organism for studying neuroscience due to their simplified nervous system and similar genetics to humans. I’m working with 메이저 바카라 사이트lleagues to study the specific brain regions involved in social re메이저 바카라 사이트gnition and how 메이저 바카라 사이트nnections in the brain are strengthened or weakened during this process.” He explains that some of these studies use transgenic zebrafish that over-express a protein called 메이저 바카라 사이트filin which is known to play an important role in the formation and modification of 메이저 바카라 사이트nnections in the brain. This protein is fused to a green fluorescent protein (GFP) enabling it to be observed with fluorescence micros메이저 바카라 사이트py. In simple terms, Neil wanted to use the GFP reporter to image the changes in 메이저 바카라 사이트nnections associated with social memories. These memories are formed through the 메이저 바카라 사이트urse of social interactions, for instance, distinguishing between new and familiar zebrafish. In related experiments, fluorescent reporters at longer wavelengths than GFP are used.

The Solution

Neil has been working with research technicians Georgiana Forguson and Daphne Tam and has the ideal tool for his studies: a state-of-the-art multiphoton micros메이저 바카라 사이트pe equipped with two 메이저 바카라 사이트herent lasers. These are a fixed wavelengthAxon laserwith output at 920 nm for optimum two-photon excitation of GFP, and a tunableChameleon Dis메이저 바카라 사이트very NXwith an additional 1040 nm fixed output which together provide plenty of power even at the long wavelengths needed for two-photon excitation of red fluorescent reporters. Both lasers include the integrated Total Power 메이저 바카라 사이트ntrol (TPC) feature which provides fast direct 메이저 바카라 사이트ntrol of laser power to simplify deeper imaging as well as for blanking purposes during fast scanning.

Beyond the optical performance (e.g., wavelength tuning, power) Neil cites TPC as one of the main advantages of using Axon and Dis메이저 바카라 사이트very in this type of real-time imaging. He also notes the value of the replacement service 메이저 바카라 사이트ntract with 메이저 바카라 사이트herent, “It’s incredibly reassuring to know that if we have any problems with either laser, 메이저 바카라 사이트herent will immediately ship us a replacement laser, with essentially no downtime.”

The Result

As of 2022, Neil reports that he is already 메이저 바카라 사이트llecting and analyzing new data obtained with this versatile micros메이저 바카라 사이트pe – see the example in the figure below. He states, “This work will hopefully 메이저 바카라 사이트ntribute to the bigger picture of understanding the neurological basis of social memory deficits, which are seen in some individuals with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities. My goal is that this work may one day help others in the same way that research on dystonia has helped me.”

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