University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HK SAR)

8 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Biology

Micro-dissection of Rat Brain for RNA or Protein Extraction from Specific Brain Region

Kin Chiu¹, Wui Man Lau¹, Ho Tak Lau¹, Kwok-Fai So¹, Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang¹

¹Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong - HKU

Micro-dissection of rat brain into various regions is extremely important for the study of different neurodegenerative diseases. This video demonstrates micro-dissection of four major brain regions include olfactory bulb, frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus in fresh rat brain tissue. Useful tips for quick removal of respective regions to avoid RNA and protein degradation of the tissue are given.

Biology

Intravitreous Injection for Establishing Ocular Diseases Model

Kin Chiu¹, Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang¹, Kwok-Fai So¹

¹The University of Hong Kong - HKU

Intravitreous injection is a widely used technique in visual sciences research for ocular diseases or as direct application of local treatment. This video demonstrated a protocol for intravitreous injection using a 1ml syringe with glass pipette. Useful tips about avoiding massive bleeding and lens damage are given.

Biology

Retrograde Labeling of Retinal Ganglion Cells by Application of Fluoro-Gold on the Surface of Superior Colliculus

Kin Chiu¹, Wui-Man Lau¹, Sze-chun Yeung¹, Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang¹, Kwok-Fai So¹

¹The University of Hong Kong - HKU

This video describes the method of retrograde labeling of RGC by applying fluoro-gold (FG) on the surface of superior colliculus (SC). Technique involves drilling the skull, aspirating the cortex, and applying gelatin sponge over entire dorsal surface of SC.

Neuroscience

Morphometric Analyses of Retinal Sections

Tin Fung Chan¹, Kin Chiu¹, Carmen Ka Ming Lok¹, Wing Lau Ho¹, Kwok-Fai So^1,2,3, Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang^1,2,3

¹Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, ²Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, ³State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong

This video demonstrates three types of morphometric analyses of the retina, which include measuring the inner nuclear layer thickness, quantifying the number of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and measuring the sizes of RGCs. The technique can offer a simple but scientific platform for morphometric analyses.

JoVE Journal

Quantitative FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer) Analysis for SENP1 Protease Kinetics Determination

Yan Liu¹, Jiayu Liao¹

¹Department of Bioengineering, Bourns College of Engineering, University of California, Riverside

A novel method involving quantitative analysis of FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer) signals is described for studying enzyme kinetics. K_M and k_cat were obtained for the hydrolysis of the catalytic domain of SENP1 (SUMO/Sentrin specific protease 1) to pre-SUMO1 (Small Ubiquitin-like MOdifier). The general principles of this quantitative-FRET-based protease kinetic study can be applied to other proteases.

Developmental Biology

Kidney Regeneration in Adult Zebrafish by Gentamicin Induced Injury

Caramai N. Kamei¹, Yan Liu^1,2, Iain A. Drummond^1,3

¹Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, ²Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, ³Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School

Here we present a reliable method to study adult kidney regeneration by inducing acute kidney injury by gentamicin injection. We show that injury is dependent on gentamicin dosage and environmental temperature using in situ hybridization to label lhx1a+ developing new nephrons.

JoVE Journal

Chemoselective Preparation of 1-Iodoalkynes, 1,2-Diiodoalkenes, and 1,1,2-Triiodoalkenes Based on the Oxidative Iodination of Terminal Alkynes

Youzhi Li^*1, Daya Huang^*1, Ju Huang¹, Yan Liu¹, Keiji Maruoka^1,2

¹School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, ²Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University

Herein, detailed protocols for the oxidative iodination of terminal alkynes using hypervalent-iodine reagents are presented, which chemoselectively afford 1-iodoalkynes, 1,2-diiodoalkenes, and 1,1,2-triiodoalkenes.

Behavior

A Behavioral Test Battery for the Repeated Assessment of Motor Skills, Mood, and Cognition in Mice

Ran You^1,2,3, Yan Liu³, Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang³

¹Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, ²Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, ³Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HK SAR)

A comprehensive behavioral test battery of motor skills, mood—including social interaction, depression, and anxiety—and cognition is designed for the repeated assessment of neurodegeneration-related behavioral changes in mice.