Biology 311 - CELLULAR & MOLEC NEUROSCI LAB

This laboratory initially uses tissue culture techniques to study the development of primary neurons in culture (e.g. extension of neurites and growth cones). This is followed by an introduction to DNA microarray technology for studying gene expression in the brain. The rest of the laboratory uses the Xenopus oocyte expression system to study molecular structure-function by injecting DNA encoding for a variety of ion channels. The second half of the semester involves a lab project using the expression system to investigate channel characteristics or pharmacology. BIO 310 must be taken concurrently. Enrollment limited to 20