Cell Culture in the Neurosciences


Book Description

A fundamental problem in neuroscience is the elucidation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the development and function of the nervous system. The complexity of organization, the heteroge neity of cell types and their interactions, and the difficulty of controlling experimental variables in intact organisms make this a formidable task. Because of the ability that it affords to analyze smaller components of the nervous system (even single cells in some cases) and to better control experimental variables, cell culture has become an increasingly valuable tool for neuroscientists. Many aspects of neural development, such as proliferation, differentiation, synaptogenesis, and myelination, occur in culture with time courses remarkably similar to those in vivo. Thus, in vitro methods often provide excellent model systems for investigating neurobiological questions. Ross Harrison described the first culture of neural tissue in 1907 and used morphological methods to analyze the cultures. Since that time the technique has been progressively modified and used to address an ever widening range of developmental questions. In recent years a con vergence of new or improved cell culture, biochemical, electrophysiol ogical, and immunological methods has occurred and been brought to bear on neurobiological questions. This volume is intended not to be comprehensive but rather to highlight some of the latest findings, with a review of previous important work as well, in which combinations of these methods are used.




Protocols for Neural Cell Culture


Book Description

This volume is designed to be kept close at hand as a ready reference and a guide to laboratory procedures. It is based on tissue culture manuals used for a number of years at international courses on tissue culture at the University of Saskatchewan, made possible by the generous support of the Canadian Council of Animal Care and the Medical Research Council of Canada. Sergey Fedoroff Arleen Richardson The second edition of Protocols for Neural Cell Culture adheres to the prin ciples enunciated in the first edition, but the content has been extensively revised and expanded. Two new chapters have been added to reflect the increased interest in the development and differentiation of the nervous system and in the reconstruction of its circuitry in tissue culture. One chapter deals with slice cul tures in which the organization of the nervous system is preserved. When slice cultures are combined with explant cultures, afferent and efferent projections can be reconstructed. The other chapter deals with aggregating neural cell cul tures, in which "minibrains" can form. Theses are small, uniformly sized spheres of nervous tissue, usually having nerve cells in the center and astrocytes, oligo dendrocytes, and microglia in the periphery. Such cultures can be used to study neutral cell interactions in an organized milieu and for qualitative as well as quantitative studies at biochemical and molecular levels.




Guide to Research Techniques in Neuroscience


Book Description

Modern neuroscience research is inherently multidisciplinary, with a wide variety of cutting edge new techniques to explore multiple levels of investigation. This Third Edition of Guide to Research Techniques in Neuroscience provides a comprehensive overview of classical and cutting edge methods including their utility, limitations, and how data are presented in the literature. This book can be used as an introduction to neuroscience techniques for anyone new to the field or as a reference for any neuroscientist while reading papers or attending talks. - Nearly 200 updated full-color illustrations to clearly convey the theory and practice of neuroscience methods - Expands on techniques from previous editions and covers many new techniques including in vivo calcium imaging, fiber photometry, RNA-Seq, brain spheroids, CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, and more - Clear, straightforward explanations of each technique for anyone new to the field - A broad scope of methods, from noninvasive brain imaging in human subjects, to electrophysiology in animal models, to recombinant DNA technology in test tubes, to transfection of neurons in cell culture - Detailed recommendations on where to find protocols and other resources for specific techniques - "Walk-through" boxes that guide readers through experiments step-by-step




Cell Culture


Book Description

Methods in Neurosciences, Volume 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Microscopy is a collection of papers that deals with microscopic techniques in statistical measures. This volume describes microscopy using sophisticated stains and dyes to advance observation of tests and experiments. Section I describes autoradiography including micro chemical methods, high-resolution autoradiography, and single- or double-label quantitative autoradiography for use in imaging of brain activity patterns or determining cerebral physiology. Section II discusses the quantification of structures through statistical and computational methods including dynamic video imaging technology. Section III explains the use of tracers, toxins, or dyes in tracing neuronal connections. One paper addresses the use of small injections of axonally transported fluorescent tracers. Section IV explains staining technology such as using the silver impregnation method for frozen sections of human nervous tissue that are gathered from tissues preserved in formalin. Section V addresses freezing techniques and those using freeze-fracture methods in neurobiology. The text also discusses cryoprotection and other freezing methods to control ice crystals found in fixed or unfixed brain tissues. Section VI presents the combined and high-resolution methods in polarization microscopy and microscopic investigations. Cellular biologists, micro-chemists, and scientific researchers in the field of micro- and cellular biology will appreciate this book.




Neuronal Cell Culture


Book Description

This second edition volume details the latest aspects of neural cells covering the practical and theoretical considerations of each techniques involved. Chapters guide readers through a general overview of the neuronal culturing principles, cell line models for neural cells, the isolation and propagation of primary cultures, stem cells, transfection and transduction of neural cultures, and other more advanced techniques. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Practical and easy to use, Neuronal Cell Culture: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition aims to be of interest to scientists at all levels studying cell culture models for neuroscientific studies.




Principles of Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Neuroscience


Book Description

The field of cellular, molecular, and developmental neuroscience repre sents the interface between the three large, well established fields of neu roscience, cell biology, and molecular biology. In the last 10 to 15 years, this new field has emerged as one of the most rapidly growing and exciting subdisciplines of neuroscience. It is now becoming possible to understand many aspects of nervous system function at the molecular level, and there already are dramatic applications of this information to the treatment of nervous system injury, disease, and genetic disorders. Moreover, there is great optimism that new strategies will emerge soon as a result of the explosion of information. This book was written to introduce students to the major issues, ex perimental strategies, and current knowledge base in cellular, molecular, and developmental neuroscience. The concept for the book arose from a section of an introductory neuroscience course given to first-year medical students at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. The text pre sumes a basic, but not detailed, understanding of nervous system orga nization and function, and a background in biology. It is intended as an appropriate introductory text for first-year medical students or graduate students in neuroscience, neurobiology, psychobiology, or related pro grams;··and for advanced undergraduate students with appropriate back ground in biology and neuroscience. While some of the specific information presented undoubtedly will be outdated rapidly, the "gestalt" of this emerging field of inquiry as presented here should help the beginning stu dent organize new information.




Cellular and Molecular Biology of Neuronal Development


Book Description

A central problem in neurobiology concerns mechanisms that generate the pro found diversity and specificity of the nervous system. What is the substance of diversification and specificity at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels? 4 How, for example, do 1011 neurons each form approximately 10 interconnec tions, allowing normal physiological function? How does disruption of these processes result in human disease? These proceedings represent the efforts of molecular biologists, embryologists, neurobiologists, and clinicians to approach these issues. in this volume are grouped by subject to present the varieties The chapters of methods used to approach each individual area. Section I deals with embry ogenesis and morphogenesis of the nervous system. In Chapter 3, Weston and co-workers describe the use of monoclonal antibodies that recognize specific neuronal epitopes (including specific gangliosides) for the purpose of defining heterogeneity in the neural crest, an important model system. Immunocyto chemical analysis reveals the existence of distinct sUbpopulations within the crest at extremely early stages; cells express neuronal or glial binding patterns at the time of migration. Consequently, interactions with the environment may select for predetermined populations. Le Douarin reaches similar conclusions in Chapter 1 by analyzing migratory pathways and developmental potentials in crest of quail-




Neuronal Factors


Book Description

First Published in 1987, this book offers a full, comprehensive guide into methods and techniques used in Neurobiology. Carefully compiled and filled with a vast repertoire of notes, diagrams, and references this book serves as a useful reference for Neurobiologists, and other practitioners in their respective fields.




Neuroglia


Book Description

Neuroglia is the only comprehensive reference book on the basic biology and function of glial cells. This long-awaited second edition has been completely reorganized and rewritten to include the dramatic advances in this field since the first edition was published ten years ago. The impact of the second edition will be greater than that of the first because the majority of neuroscientists now acknowledge that neuroglia are elemental to most, if not all, brain functions. The second edition covers the entire field of glial research from the basic molecular and cellular principles of these cells to their involvement in neurological diseases including stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis. It includes new chapters on transmitter release from exocytosis from glia, glia derived stem cells, glia and synaptic transmission, glia and axon guidance, an entirely new section on mechanisms of glial injury, and several new chapters on the roles of glia in different diseases. The new edition was written with both students and experts in mind. It provides a basic introduction to the entire range of glial topics and detailed information with critical assessment of the research literature. Neuroscience textbooks focus on the properties of neurons, whereas this book fills the information void about the brain's other cells. Neuroglia, Second Edition, is an essential reference source for newcomers, including graduate students, to neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, neurophysiology, and molecular neurobiology. It is also a vital companion for established researchers in these fields as well as clinicians in neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, neuropathology, and neuro-oncology.