PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:
21-Aug-2014
Contact: Phil Sahm phil.sahm@hsc.utah.edu 801-581-2517 University of Utah Health Sciences
(SALT LAKE CITY)University of Utah scientists have developed a genetically engineered line of mice that is expected to open the door to new research on epilepsy, Alzheimer's and other diseases.
The mice carry a protein marker, which changes in degree of fluorescence in response to different calcium levels. This will allow many cell types, including cells called astrocytes and microglia, to be studied in a new way.
"This is opening up the possibility to decipher how the brain works," said Petr Tvrdik, Ph.D., a research fellow in human genetics and a senior author on the study.
The research was published Aug. 14, 2014, in Neuron, a world-leading neuroscience journal. The work is the result of a three-year study involving multiple labs connected with The Brain Institute at the University of Utah. The lead author is J. Michael Gee, who is pursuing both a medical degree and a graduate degree in bioengineering at the university.
"We're really in the era of team science," said John White, Ph.D., professor of bioengineering, executive director of the Brain Institute and the study's corresponding author.
With the new mouse line, scientists can use a laser-based fluorescence microscope to study the calcium indicator in the glial cells of the living mouse, either when the mouse is anesthetized or awake. Calcium is studied because it is an important signaling molecule in the body and it can reveal how well the brain is functioning.
Using this method, the scientists are essentially creating a window into the working brain to study the interactions between neurons, astrocytes and microglia.
Read this article:
Mouse model for epilepsy, Alzheimer's gives window into the working brain