Control of neuronal activity in human disease and health
The facility consists of a comprehensive suite of instrumentation that allows researchers to determine the effects of compounds of interest on neuronal function in vivo. Researchers then determine the molecular mechanisms of such effects, through classical receptor binding and enzymology studies. In combination with infrastructure available elsewhere in the chemistry department (GC-MS, LC-MS, HPLC, electrochemistry) this allows researchers to determine the effects of compounds on neuronal activity and cellular neurochemistry, as well as to identify the molecular mechanisms underpinning the effects.
Cell culture, Enzyme assays, Receptor binding, Second messenger assays, Membrane permeability assays, Cell death assays, In vivo electrophysiology, In vivo alopecia model
- Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
Specialized labs and equipment
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Specialized lab |
Equipment |
Function |
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Cell biology and neuroscience |
In vivo electrophysiology with stereotaxic electrode placement, microiontophoresis and electrode pulling capabilities |
Recording of single-unit neuronal activity in anaesthetized animals (rats) with the ability to add compounds of interest directly to the neuron being recorded. |
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Level 2 biosafety cabinet and carbon dioxide incubators |
Mammalian cell culture, both primary and cell lines |
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SpectraMax M2 microplate reader |
Fluorescence, absorbance and luminosity detection in multi-well plate format (up to 384 well plates) |
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Beckman LS5000 scintillation counter |
Quantification of tritium and carbon-14 labelled samples |
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48-well cell harvester |
Isolation of membrane fragments as part of radioligand receptor binding studies |