Lab Tour
 |
In our lab, we quantify dendritic complexity within the limbic system (hippocampus & prefrontal cortex) by measuring total dendritic length and the number of dendritic bifurcations. We find changes in dendritic complexity after chronic stress, housing conditions and gonadal hormone status. Here, an undergraduate, Jeffery Hanna, is working in our newly renovated stereology suite to trace hippocampal neurons, and then another student verifies that all of the dendritic branches were included in the quantification. |
 |
In our newly renovated stereology suite, Annie Hoffman is using Dr. Bimonte-Nelson's image system to quantify FOS-labeled profiles in the rat brain.
|
 |
Our newly renovated wetlab includes state of the art fume hoods, chemical handling and 60 sq ft of surface area for research. From left to right, starting in the front is Katie, Jeffery, Cheryl and Annie. |
 |
Danya Anouti is working in the wet lab on a Corticosterone assay for her honor's thesis project. Danya learned how to pipet, perform serial dilutions, calculate concentrations and run a plate reader. |
 |
Cheryl Conrad and Jeffery Hanna are working in the newly renovated part of the wet laboratory as they prepare for one of their assays. |
 |
Another view of our recently renovated wetlab, peering in from part of the data analysis side of the lab and into a portion of the wet laboratory |
 |
Practicing good aspectic surgical technique as we prepare to start a procedure. In front is Bryce Ortiz, Annie Hoffman, Danya Anouti and Alyssa Campbell at back. |
 |
Annie Hoffman in the surgery room |
 |
Our recently renovated (Oct 2010) state-of-the art necropsy room with dual purpose surgical area, if needed. |
 |
This is a cryostat, maintained at - 20 C, and we use the cryostat to slice brains in preparation for the Golgi procedure. Brain tissue is often cut at 100 µm thick coronal sections to allow full dendritic processes to be observed. A former graduate student, Mac, used the cryostat to cut brain sections.
|
 |
One of the behavioral measures we investigate is fear conditioning. With this technique, we can examine learning and memory using a classical conditioning paradigm in which a previously neutral stimulus (tone or context) is paired with a mild footshock. Rats that learn the association between tone and/or context will show enhanced freezing behavior to the tone and context. For reference to some of this work, see Conrad et al., (2004) Neurobiol. Learn. Mem., 81: 185-199, Baran et al., (2009) Neurobiol. Learn. Mem., 91: 323-332, and Hoffman et al., (2010) Neurobiol. Learn. Mem., 94: 422-433. |
 |
The Y-maze is a spatial memory task that taps into hippocampal function in a two-trial paradigm. Rats are allowed to explore 2- of 3-symmetrical arms in their first exposure to the Y-maze. After a 4-hr delay, rats are re-introduced into the maze with access to all 3 arms. Rats with functional spatial memory will enter the previously unexplored arm more than the two previously explored arms. For reference to this type of work, see McLaughlin et al., (2007) Brain Res., 1161: 56-64 and Conrad (2006) Behav. Cogn. Neurosci. Rev., 5: 41-60. |
 |
We are demonstrating proper PPE (personal protective equipment) when we handle rodents and rodent tissue. |
 |
This picture demonstrates the housing conditions for our environmental enrichment manipulation. In this housing situation, rats have access to 2 running wheels, tunnels, pots, movable objects, and nesting material. These items are changed three times per week to maintain novelty within the environment. For reference to this work, please see Wright & Conrad (2008). Behav. Brain Res.,187, 41-47. |
