University of Bremen

5 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Biochemistry

Characterization of Amyloid Structures in Aging C. Elegans Using Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging

Maria Lucia Pigazzini^*1,2, Christian Gallrein^*1, Manuel Iburg^*1, Gabriele Kaminski Schierle³, Janine Kirstein^1,4

¹Leibniz Research Institute for Molecular Pharmacology im Forschungsverbund Berlin, ²NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, ³Molecular Neuroscience Group, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, ⁴Cell Biology, University of Bremen

Fluorescence lifetime imaging monitors, quantifies and distinguishes the aggregation tendencies of proteins in living, aging, and stressed C. elegans disease models.

Behavior

Optogenetic Manipulation of Neuronal Activity to Modulate Behavior in Freely Moving Mice

Laura Berg^1,2, Jill Gerdey^1,2, Olivia A. Masseck^1,2

¹Biology and Chemistry, Synthetic Biology, University of Bremen, ²Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum

With optogenetic manipulation of specific neuronal populations or brain regions, behavior can be modified with high temporal and spatial resolution in freely moving animals. By using different optogenetic tools in combination with chronically implanted optical fibers, a variety of neuronal modulations and behavioral testing can be performed.

Medicine

Semi-Minimal Invasive Method to Induce Myocardial Infarction in Rats and the Assessment of Cardiac Function by an Isolated Working Heart System

Patrick M. Pilz¹, Miriam Lang¹, Ouafa Hamza¹, Petra L. Szabo¹, Milat Inci¹, Anne M. Kramer¹, Michael Koch², Johann Huber³, Bruno K. Podesser¹, Attila Kiss¹

¹Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institute for Cardiovascular Research at the Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, ²Concept & Ideation, Electrical Sector/EMEA/Power Distribution Division, Eaton Industries (Austria) GmbH, ³Vetfarm and Clinical Unit for Herd Health Management in Ruminants, Clinic for Ruminants, Vetmeduni Vienna

This article presents an efficient method to perform myocardial ischemia and subsequent chronic reperfusion in rats using a minimally invasive approach. In addition, left ventricular hemodynamic function of rats is assessed by echocardiography and isolated working heart methods.

Biology

In Vivo Quantification of Protein Turnover in Aging C. Elegans using Photoconvertible Dendra2

Maria Lucia Pigazzini^1,2, Janine Kirstein^1,3

¹Leibniz Research Institute for Molecular Pharmacology im Forschungsverbund, ²NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, ³Department of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen

Presented here is a protocol to monitor degradation of the protein huntingtin fused to the photoconvertible fluorophore Dendra2.

Behavior

An Open-Source, Fully Customizable 5-Choice Serial Reaction Time Task Toolbox for Automated Behavioral Training of Rodents

Julia Morais Gancz¹, Nada El Jundi², Eva Strippelmann², Michael Koch², Detlef Wegener¹

¹Cognitive Neurophysiology Department, Brain Research Institute, University of Bremen, ²Neuropharmacology Department, Brain Research Institute, University of Bremen

The present protocol describes the development of an open-source 5-choice serial reaction time task toolbox for rodent animal models, using Arduino and related hardware and a versatile Matlab toolbox, including an optional script for automated behavioral training. The scripts are customizable and facilitate the implementation of different trial-and-test designs.