Brandeis University

8 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Education

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care

Laura S. Lorenz^*1,2, Jon A. Chilingerian^*2

¹Institute for Behavioral Health, Brandeis University, ²Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University

This paper illustrates an innovative visual approach (photovoice or photo-elicitation) to achieve fair process in clinical care for patients living with chronic health conditions, illuminate gaps in clinical knowledge, forge better therapeutic relationships, and identify patient-centered goals and possibilities for healing.

Neuroscience

Mapping and Application of Enhancer-trap Flippase Expression in Larval and Adult Drosophila CNS

Taylor R. Fore¹, Audrey A. Ojwang¹, Margaret L. Warner¹, Xinyun Peng¹, Rudolf A. Bohm^1,2, William P. Welch¹, Lindsey K. Goodnight¹, Hong Bao¹, Bing Zhang¹

¹Department of Zoology, University of Oklahoma - Norman, ²Department of Biology, Brandeis University

We describe a Flippase-induced intersectional Gal80/Gal4 repression (FINGR) method, allowing tissue-specific FLP to determine Gal80 expression patterns. Wherever Gal4 and FLP overlap, Gal4 expression is turned on (Gal80 flipped out) or off (Gal80 flipped in). The FINGR method is versatile for clonal analysis and neural circuit mapping.

Biology

Purification of Native Complexes for Structural Study Using a Tandem Affinity Tag Method

Clarisse van der Feltz¹, Daniel Pomeranz Krummel^1,2

¹Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, ²Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine

The Tandem Affinity Purification (TAP) method has been used extensively to isolate native complexes from cellular extract, primarily eukaryotic, for proteomics. Here, we present a TAP method protocol optimized for purification of native complexes for structural studies.

Engineering

3D Printing of Biomolecular Models for Research and Pedagogy

Eduardo Da Veiga Beltrame¹, James Tyrwhitt-Drake², Ian Roy³, Raed Shalaby⁴, Jakob Suckale⁴, Daniel Pomeranz Krummel⁵

¹Department of Physics, Brandeis University, ²Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch (BCBB), NIH/NIAID/OD/OSMO/OCICB, ³Library/LTS/MakerLab, Brandeis University, ⁴Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry (IFIB), University of Tübingen, ⁵Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine

Physical models of biomolecules can facilitate an understanding of their structure-function for the researcher, aid in communication between researchers, and serve as an educational tool in pedagogical endeavors. Here, we provide detailed guidance for the 3D printing of accurate models of biomolecules using fused filament fabrication desktop 3D printers.

Bioengineering

High Resolution 3D Imaging of the Human Pancreas Neuro-insular Network

Elizabeth Butterworth¹, Wesley Dickerson², Vindhya Vijay³, Kristina Weitzel¹, Julia Cooper¹, Eric W. Atkinson⁴, Jason E. Coleman⁵, Kevin J. Otto⁴, Martha Campbell-Thompson¹

¹Department of Pathology, Immunology and Experimental Medicine, University of Florida, ²Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, ³Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, ⁴Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Florida, ⁵Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida

Here, we present a protocol to image human pancreas sections in three dimensions (3D) using optimized passive clearing methods. This manuscript demonstrates these procedures for passive optical clearing followed by multiple immunofluorescence staining to identify key elements of the autonomic and sensory neural networks innervating human islets.

JoVE Journal

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

Teagan E. Bate¹, Edward J. Jarvis¹, Megan E. Varney¹, Kun-Ta Wu^1,2

¹Department of Physics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, ²Department of Physics, Brandeis University

The goal of this protocol is to use temperature to control the flow speeds of three-dimensional active fluids. The advantage of this method not only allows for regulating flow speeds in situ but also enables dynamic control, such as periodically tuning flow speeds up and down.

Neuroscience

Construction and Implementation of Carbon Fiber Microelectrode Arrays for Chronic and Acute In Vivo Recordings

Kristen N. Reikersdorfer^*1, Andrea K. Stacy^*2, David A. Bressler², Lauren S. Hayashi², Keith B. Hengen¹, Stephen D. Van Hooser²

¹Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, ²Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience, Brandeis University

This protocol describes a procedure for constructing carbon fiber microelectrode arrays for chronic and acute in vivo electrophysiological recordings in mouse (Mus musculus) and ferret (Mustela putorius furo) from multiple brain regions. Each step, following the purchase of raw carbon fibers to microelectrode array implantation, is described in detail, with emphasis on microelectrode array construction.

Genetics

ACT1-CUP1 Assays Determine the Substrate-Specific Sensitivities of Spliceosomal Mutants in Budding Yeast

Clarisse van der Feltz¹

¹College of Arts and Sciences, Northwest University

The ACT1-CUP1 assay, a copper growth assay, provides a quick readout of precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing and the impact mutant splicing factors have on spliceosomal function. This study provides a protocol and highlights the customization possible to address the splicing question of interest.