The In vitro Physiology core provides assessment of synaptic function in rodent models using physiological approaches such as in vitro brain slice preparations and single-synapse studies in dissociated cell culture.

Location

Biotech Building, Room 316

Services

1. Primary Cultures, Transfected Cells
   • Patch-clamp amplifiers mounted to inverted phase-contrast microscope. Suitable for whole-cell recording from cultured neurons or transfected cells in 35 mm culture dish
   • Computer controlled local drug perfusion
   • Data analysis software
   • Studies available:
     • Glutamate (excitatory) and GABA (inhibitory)-mediated synaptic transmission
     • Responses to exogenous glutamate and GABA
     • Action potential generation
2. Brain slices
   • Extracellular amplifiers mounted on stereomicroscope. Suitable for brain slice recording of field EPSPs, synaptic plasticity studies in hippocampus.
   • Data analysis software
   • Studies available (hippocampal slices)
     • Studies of glutamate-mediated synaptic transmission
     • Baseline synaptic responses
     • Input-output curves
     • NMDA receptor and AMPA receptor-mediated transmission
     • Synaptic plasticity:
     • Paired pulse plasticity
     • Long-term plasticity (LTP, LTD)/

Usage

The in vitro physiology core is open to all Washington University Neuroscience investigators through the P30 Blueprint Grant; Hope Center investigators may be eligible for additional support for Core services through the Hope Center. Neuroscience investigators from nonprofit/academic institutions outside Washington University may be able to use Core Services as well.

How to Obtain Core Services

Contact This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it , Core Coordinator, to discuss your needs.

Staff

• Faculty Supervisor: Charles Zorumski, M.D. Ph: 314-747-2680 This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
• Faculty Co-Director: Steve Mennerick, PhD Ph: 314-362-8652 This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
• Core Staff: Jenny Shu (cell culture and transfected cell recordings)
  Yuki Izumi (hippocampal slice studies)

Support/Acknowledgements

This Core is is supported by a Neuroscience Blueprint Core grant (P30 NS057105) from NIH to Washington University.