This work was supported by NIH R01 EY020533, WSU Startup Fund, and RPB grants.

Ethics Statement: Procedures involving animal subjects were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Wayne State University.
1. Preparation of Experimental Solution
<ol>
	<li>Prepare the dissecting solution 1 day to 1 week before the actual experiment. Use a HEPES buffer solution for retinal dissection because of its strong buffering ability at lower temperatures16. Mix all chemicals as follows (in mM): 115 NaCl, 2.5 KCl, 2.5 CaCl2, 1.0 MgCl2, 10 HEPES, 28 glucose. Adjust pH to 7.4 with NaOH. Keep the solution in a refrigerator up to 1 week.</li>
	<li>The recording solution is Ames&#8217; medium, which is an artificial cerebral spinal fluid (aCSF) designed for retinal preparations17. By the day of the experiment, weigh out Ames&#8217; powder (4.4 g for 500 ml solution) in a tube. Also, weigh out NaHCO3 (0.95 g for 500 ml solution) and mix with the Ames&#8217; powder.</li>
	<li>Prepare the intracellular pipette solution for patch clamp recordings by the day of the experiment. Mix all chemicals as follows (in mM): 111 K-gluconate, 1.0 CaCl2, 10 HEPES, 1.1 EGTA, 10 NaCl, 1.0 MgCl2, 5 ATP-Mg, and 1.0 GTP-Na. Adjust pH to 7.2 with KOH. Filter the pipette solution with a conventional syringe filter. Make ~500 &#181;l aliquots and store them in a freezer or a deep freezer.</li>
</ol>
2. Preparation for the Day of Experiment
<ol>
	<li>The night before the experiment, place a mouse in a cage (C57BL/6J or similar background, 4 - 8 weeks old, male) in a dark space for O/N dark adaptation.</li>
	<li>Preparation for dissection:
	<ol>
		<li>Fill dissecting solution (100 - 200 ml) in a glass beaker, place it on ice, and bubble with oxygen for at least 10 min.</li>
		<li>Start oxygenation of the dark box for retinal preparation storage.</li>
		<li>Prepare plastic coverslips with grease rails for retinal slice preparations and place each of them in a 35 mm plastic dish.</li>
		<li>Attach a new razor blade to a chopper (tissue slicer).</li>
		<li>Cut a filter membrane into two halves. This is for retinal slicing.</li>
		<li>Align the dissecting tools and transfer pipettes near the dissecting microscope. The work area must be well organized so that each tool can be easily accessed in the dark.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Preparation for patch clamp recordings:
	<ol>
		<li>Dissolve Ames&#8217; powder and NaHCO3 in distilled water (Ames 4.4 g and NaHCO3 0.95g/500 ml ddH2O). Bubble the Ames&#8217; medium with mixed oxygen (95% O2 and 5% CO2) for at least 30 min while heating to a recording temperature level (~35 &#176;C). Adjust the pH to 7.4 with NaHCO3 while still bubbling.</li>
		<li>Thaw the internal pipette solution during the dissection. After it is thawed, add 0.01% sulforhodamine B for intracellular staining.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
3. Retinal Dissection
<ol>
	<li>In a dark room, euthanize the mouse using carbon dioxide and bilateral pneumothorax. After 2 - 3 min of using the carbon dioxide, the mouse will lose consciousness.</li>
	<li>When the mouse no longer responds to a tail pinch, quickly enucleate the eyes and place them in a cold dissecting solution in a plastic dish. Perform the bilateral pneumothorax to ensure the animal&#8217;s death. Quickly store the eye in the dish in the dark box. Use an infrared viewer to conduct the procedure in the dark. 
	NOTE: Alternatively, isoflurane, decapitation, or cervical dislocation can be used for euthanasia. The method of euthanasia should follow the guidelines of the National Institute of Health (NIH) and/or the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.</li>
	<li>In a dark room, adjust the dissecting microscope and infrared illumination. Under the microscope, transfer an eye from its dish into a 10 cm plastic dish with the cooled dissecting solution. Continuously bubble oxygen through tubing placed on the bottom of the plastic dish. Adjust the flow volume so it is not too low, but ensure that it is not high enough to disturb the dissection.</li>
	<li>Cornea and lens removal:
	<ol>
		<li>Make an incision on the top of the cornea with a micro-surgical knife. Holding the optic nerve at the other end of the eyeball prevents the eye from moving. Extend the cut using a pair of surgical scissors. Cut out the cornea with some sclera around it.</li>
		<li>Grab the lens with a fine forceps and slowly pull the lens out. If the vitreous is too sticky to remove the lens, cut the vitreous with a pair of scissors.</li>
		<li>Once the eye-cup is made, gently pour cold, oxygenated dissecting solution into the eyecup with a small transfer pipette. 
		NOTE: The eyeball quickly deflates after an incision is made in the cornea. It is important to maintain the shape of the eye as deforming the eye during this procedure will damage the retina and cause retinal detachment.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Identifying the dorsal and ventral sides of the retina: 
	NOTE: Because of uneven distribution of the green and the ultraviolet (UV) cones18, identifying a specific retinal area is important for light response recordings.
	<ol>
		<li>Identify the line going across the retinal eye cup passing near the optic nerve head. This line passes mostly across the ventral side of the optic nerve; the side including the optic nerve is the dorsal side, while the other is ventral 19. See this landmark clearly under infrared viewers.</li>
		<li>Depending on the purpose of the experiment, make a cut on the unnecessary side. This will be useful after isolating the retina from the eye cup.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Vitreous removal:
	<ol>
		<li>Optionally, incubate the eye-cup with hyaluronidase (0.5 mg/ml) for 15 min.</li>
		<li>Remove the vitreous with extra-fine forceps. The vitreous is mainly attached to the bottom and the outer edge of the eye-cup. Gently remove it without touching or poking the retina. As the vitreous might be tightly attached to the eyecup, remove gently to avoid retinal detachment from the eye-cup. Continue to pull until no tension is felt. 
		NOTE: This step is particularly important for dissecting the mouse retina; however, it is not a problem for the retinas of other species such as the rat or salamander.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Isolate the retina from the eye-cup. Grab the sclera and gently peel off the retina using the backside of forceps. 
	NOTE: Whole-mount retinal preparations can be made from the isolated retina. Make three to four cuts at the edges and flatten the retina, or cut the retina into several pieces.</li>
	<li>Trim the retina and discard the unnecessary half of the retina (step 3.5). In the same plastic dish, cut the remaining retina into two pieces. For each piece of the retina, cut off the edges to make a retinal slab, and trim the folding edges.</li>
	<li>Transfer a retinal slab onto a glass plate using a large transfer pipette (~2 ml). Suck up the excess solution with a small pipette, use a piece of filter paper to flatten the slab, and then quickly place a piece of the filter membrane on top of the tissue.
	<ol>
		<li>Using a small transfer pipette, place a drop of dissecting solution on the filter membrane. Wait ~15 sec until the solution spreads over the membrane. During this time, the retinal tissue will stick to the filter membrane.</li>
		<li>Pour more cold dissecting solution under and around the filter. The retinal tissue with the filter membrane will float. Grab the filter membrane with a forceps and place it in the slicing chamber. Pour dissecting solution over the tissue, and store the preparation in the dark box. 
		NOTE: The procedure described here is critical. It is important to perform these steps quickly to ensure that the retinal tissue sticks to the filter membrane and does not dry out.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Using a chopper, cut the retinal tissue into slices. Around 200 &#956;m thickness is feasible for patch clamp studies.</li>
	<li>Place a plastic coverslip with grease rails in the slicing chamber. Transfer a retinal slice on top of the grease rails on a plastic coverslip. Rotate the slice 90&#176; so that the transverse section is visible. Press the filter membrane down onto the coverslip, then, cover the sides of the filter paper with grease.
	<ol>
		<li>After the slice is immobilized on a plastic coverslip, grab the coverslip and transfer it to a 35 mm plastic dish. Pour cold dissecting solution onto the retinal preparation and submerge the preparation. Store each dish in the dark box, which should be continuously oxygenated. 
		NOTE: The entire procedure needs to be done carefully so that the filter membrane is not deformed. Otherwise, the retinal slice easily separates from the filter membrane.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
4. Patch Clamp Recordings from Retinal Slice Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Recording preparation:
	<ol>
		<li>Prime the perfusion tubes with Ames&#8217; medium. Allow all the bubbles to pass through when filling the tubing.</li>
		<li>Make patch clamp recording pipettes with a puller. To fill a pipette with the pipette solution, dip in the backside of a pipette for 1 min until the pipette tip is backfilled. Next, fill ~1/3 of the pipette using a micro-pipette filler. Store each pipette in a moist pipette box.</li>
		<li>Turn on the equipment for patch clamp recordings; including the computer, amplifier, CCD camera, and microscope.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Shut off the room light. Place a retinal slice preparation onto the microscope stage chamber using an infrared viewer. After it is immobilized, begin continuous perfusion. Set the perfusion temperature at 33 to 37 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>View the slice surface with the CCD camera. Focus on the target location where the target cell types reside. Select a healthy-looking cell for patch clamp recording (i.e., it should have smooth-looking surface and a good cell shape).</li>
	<li>Place a recording pipette in a pipette holder. Advance the pipette to the slice preparation. When it is close to the slice preparation (~2 mm above), find the tip of the pipette with the microscope. Once the pipette tip is visible under the microscope, move the tip down towards the target cell.</li>
	<li>Set the amplifier. Adjust the pipette at 0 mV/0 pA (zeroing) and start a continuous electric pulse of ~5 mV at ~10 Hz. Check the pipette resistance; ideal resistance is between 5 and 10 M&#8486; for most retinal neurons.</li>
	<li>Start blowing out from the tip. Use a mouthpiece, or use a syringe, to apply positive pressure when the pipette dips into the bath solution. Continuously blow out the internal solution until the tip is on the surface of the target cell.
	<ol>
		<li>When the positive pressure makes a small dimple on the cell surface, advance the tip slightly and stop blowing out. Check the pipette resistance, which should increase. If it is continuously increasing, leave it and monitor the resistance until it reaches &#62;1 G&#8486; (gigaseal). If the resistance does not spontaneously increase, gently apply negative pressure until it becomes a gigaseal.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>After the gigaseal is achieved, change the holding potential to -70 mV. Then, intermittently apply negative pressure to rupture the membrane inside the pipette tip. When the whole-cell configuration is made, the pipette resistance can be between 500 M&#8486; and 1 G&#8486;, and the capacitive current is seen. Sometimes spontaneous postsynaptic currents can be observed.</li>
	<li>Record the I-V relationship from -80 to +40 mV. Different types of voltage-gated channels are activated depending on the cell type.</li>
	<li>Record light-evoked synaptic currents or voltages.</li>
</ol>

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

Good recordings can only be achieved with good retinal preparations and well-designed patch clamp setups. Although all the steps described above are important, the discussion highlights some critical steps both for the dissection and recordings. 
For dissection, two things are especially important: cooling and oxygenation. After enucleating the eye, quickly remove the front part of the eye in a dissecting chamber with oxygen-bubbled, cooled dissecting solution, and pour cold solution into the ...

The retina is one of the unique parts of the nervous system. As an accessible part of the brain, its synaptic architecture has been well characterized. In addition, the functions of this neural network can be examined with a physiological stimulus: light. If the retinal tissue is isolated in a dark room with appropriate procedures, neurons in the tissue will respond to light. This preparation has been used to study visual signal processing and elucidate various synaptic mechanisms and neural network functions, as well as disease mechanisms. 
Light responses in retinal neurons have been recorded for decades. Early studies used sharp electrodes to make intracellular recordings from mudpuppy retinal neurons1. In the 1980s, the patch clamp technique was invented2, and soon became a popular method among vision researchers3,4. Single cell recordings from lower vertebrates, including mudpuppy and fish retinal neurons, were popular methods that contributed to the elucidation of visual signal processing mechanisms5,6. 
After genetic mutation techniques were developed, the mouse retina became a more popular model for vision researchers7-9. The mammalian retina is more attractive than that of lower vertebrates because it is evolutionarily closer to the human retina, and there is an opportunity to use disease models. However, mouse retinal cells are small and fragile10, and making retinal preparations and conducting patch clamp recordings in a dark room is challenging. As technology has improved, diverse approaches have become available to study visual signaling mechanisms such as imaging studies11 and the electroretinogram (ERG)12. Nevertheless, single cell recording with the patch clamp method is still important because it is highly temporally and spatially sensitive compared to other methods. Therefore, we have continuously conducted patch clamp recordings and improved our methods to investigate visual signal processing in mouse retinal slice preparations13-15.
In this video tutorial, the protocols are presented with important tips. Good recordings can only be achieved with good preparation. Practicing animal dissection and building a sturdy patch clamp rig will enable most researchers to achieve successful recordings.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="886">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">mice (28-60 days old, male)</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Jackson laboratory</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">C57BL/6J strain</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ames&#39; medium powder</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">A1420</td>
			<td>excellent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Stereo microscope</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Nikon</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">SMZ745</td>
			<td>excellent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">dissecting tool_forceps</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Dumont</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">#4, #5, #55</td>
			<td>excellent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">dissecting tool_scissors</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Roboz</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">RS-5605</td>
			<td>excellent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">dissecting tool_surgery knife</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Surgistar</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">7514</td>
			<td>excellent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">razor blade (for chopper)</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">EMS</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">71970</td>
			<td>excellent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">chopper</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">handmade</td>
			<td style="width:203px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">infrared viewer</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Night Owl Optics</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">NOBG1</td>
			<td>It shows bright view.&#160; Focusing small objects is an issue.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="27">
			<td height="27" style="height:27px;width:216px;">infrared pocket scopes</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">B.E. Meyers</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">OWL Gen 3 NV pocketscope</td>
			<td>excellent view</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">puller</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Sutter</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">P-1000</td>
			<td>excellent.&#160; Make consistent size pipettes.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">dark box</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Pelican</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">dark box</td>
			<td>excellent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="67">
			<td height="67" style="height:67px;width:216px;">patch clamp system</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Scientifica</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">slice scope 2000</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Excellent setup.&#160; Most key components are included in one package.&#160; Micromanipulators are excellent.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">amplifier</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Molecular Devices</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">multiclamp 700B</td>
			<td>Excellent and easy control.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">acquiring software</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Molecular Devices</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">pClamp software</td>
			<td>Excellent and easy control.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="28">
			<td height="28" style="height:28px;width:216px;">light source (LED)</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Cool LED</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">pE-2 4 channel system</td>
			<td>Excellent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">CCD camera</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Q-imaging</td>
			<td style="width:203px;">Retiga 2000</td>
			<td>Excellent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Faraday cage</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">handmade</td>
			<td style="width:203px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

recording light-evoked postsynaptic responses in neurons in dark-adapted, mouse retinal slice preparations using patch clamp techniques

The retina is the gateway to the visual system. To understand visual signal processing mechanisms, we investigate retinal neural network functions. Retinal neurons in the network comprise of numerous subtypes. More than 10 subtypes of bipolar cells, ganglion cells, and amacrine cells have been identified by morphological studies. Multiple subtypes of retinal neurons are thought to encode distinct features of visual signaling, such as motion and color, and form multiple neural pathways. However, the functional roles of each neuron in visual signal processing are not fully understood. The patch clamp method is useful to address this fundamental question. Here, a protocol to record light-evoked synaptic responses in mouse retinal neurons using patch clamp recordings in dark-adapted conditions is provided. The mouse eyes are dark-adapted O/N, and retinal slice preparations are dissected in a dark room using infrared illumination and viewers. Infrared light does not activate mouse photoreceptors and thus preserves their light responsiveness. Patch clamp is used to record light-evoked responses in retinal neurons. A fluorescent dye is injected during recordings to characterize neuronal morphological subtypes. This procedure enables us to determine the physiological functions of each neuron in the mouse retina.

A representative slice preparation is shown in Figure 1. The slice preparation is in a straight position, showing photoreceptors to ganglion cells in a flat surface, and no detachment from the filter paper. If a slice is tilted, only part of the preparation is in focus, which makes it difficult to identify an appropriate cell for patch clamping. For recordings, it is important to select a good soma, which usually has a shiny surface, an even round shape, and no visible dark plaques. After the whole cell ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Recording Light-evoked Postsynaptic Responses in Neurons in Dark-adapted, Mouse Retinal Slice Preparations Using Patch Clamp Techniques at JoVE.com

Recording Light-evoked Postsynaptic Responses in Neurons in Dark-adapted, Mouse Retinal Slice Preparations Using Patch Clamp Techniques

We will demonstrate how to prepare retinal slices from the mouse eye and record light responses in retinal neurons. The entire procedure is conducted in dark-adapted conditions.

The retina is the gateway to the visual system. To understand visual signal processing mechanisms, we investigate retinal neural network functions. ...

recording-light-evoked-postsynaptic-responses-neurons-dark-adapted

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

8.4K Views.  Wayne State University School of Medicine. We will demonstrate how to prepare retinal slices from the mouse eye and record light responses in retinal neurons. The entire procedure is conducted in dark-adapted conditions.

Video: Recording Light-evoked Postsynaptic Responses in Neurons in Dark-adapted, Mouse Retinal Slice Preparations Using Patch Clamp Techniques

Analyzing Responses of Mouse Olfactory Sensory Neurons Using the Air-phase Electroolfactogram Recording

Animals depend on olfaction for many critical behaviors, such as finding food sources, avoiding predators, and identifying conspecifics for mating and other social interactions. The electroolfactogram (EOG) recording is an informative, easy to conduct, and reliable method to assay olfactory function at the level of the olfactory epithelium. Since the 1956 description of the EOG by Ottoson in frogs1, the EOG recording has been applied in many vertebrates including salamanders, rabbits, rats, mice, and humans (reviewed by Scott and Scott-Johnson, 2002, ref. 2). The recent advances in genetic modification in mice have rekindled interest in recording the EOG for physiological characterization of olfactory function in knock-out and knock-in mice. EOG recordings have been successfully applied to demonstrate the central role of olfactory signal transduction components3-8, and more recently to characterize the contribution of certain regulatory mechanisms to OSN responses9-12.
Odorant detection occurs at the surface of the olfactory epithelium on the cilia of OSNs, where a signal transduction cascade leads to opening of ion channels, generating a current that flows into the cilia and depolarizes the membrane13. The EOG is the negative potential recorded extracellularly at the surface of the olfactory epithelium upon odorant stimulation, resulting from a summation of the potential changes caused by individual responsive OSNs in the recording field2. Comparison of the amplitude and kinetics of the EOG thus provide valuable information about how genetic modification and other experimental manipulations influence the molecular signaling underlying the OSN response to odor. 
Here we describe an air-phase EOG recording on a preparation of mouse olfactory turbinates. Briefly, after sacrificing the mouse, the olfactory turbinates are exposed by bisecting the head along the midline and removing the septum. The turbinate preparation is then placed in the recording setup, and a recording electrode is placed at the surface of the olfactory epithelium on one of the medial turbinates. A reference electrode is electrically connected to the tissue through a buffer solution. A continuous stream of humidified air is blown over the surface of the epithelium to keep it moist. The vapor of odorant solutions is puffed into the stream of humidified air to stimulate the epithelium. Responses are recorded and digitized for further analysis.

The electroolfactogram (EOG) recording is an informative, easy-to-conduct, and reliable way of assessing olfactory function at the level of the olfactory epithelium. This protocol describes a recording setup, mouse tissue preparation, data collection, and basic data analysis.

Animals depend on olfaction for many critical behaviors, such as finding food sources, avoiding predators, and identifying conspecifics for mating and ...

Patch Clamp Recordings from Mouse Retinal Neurons in a Dark-adapted Slice Preparation

Our visual experience is initiated when the visual pigment in our retinal photoreceptors absorbs photons of light energy and initiates a cascade of intracellular events that lead to closure of cyclic-nucleotide-gated channels in the cell membrane. The resulting change in membrane potential leads in turn to reductions in the amount of neurotransmitter release from both rod and cone synaptic terminals. To measure how the light-evoked change in photoreceptor membrane potential leads to downstream activity in the retina, scientists have made electrophysiological recordings from retinal slice preparations for decades1,2. In the past these slices have been cut manually with a razor blade on retinal tissue that is attached to filter paper; in recent years another method of slicing has been developed whereby retinal tissue is embedded in low gelling temperature agar and sliced in cool solution with a vibrating microtome3,4. This preparation produces retinal slices with less surface damage and very robust light-evoked responses. Here we document how this procedure can be done under infrared light to avoid bleaching the visual pigment.

Here we describe a procedure for generating dark-adapted slices of the mouse retina for electrophysiological recordings.

Our visual experience is initiated when the visual pigment in our retinal photoreceptors absorbs photons of light energy and initiates a cascade of ...

Transfection of Mouse Retinal Ganglion Cells by in vivo Electroporation

The targeting and refinement of RGC projections to the midbrain is a popular and powerful model system for studying how precise patterns of neural connectivity form during development. In mice, retinofugal projections are arranged in a topographic manner and form eye-specific layers in the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (dLGN) of the thalamus and the Superior Colliculus (SC). The development of these precise patterns of retinofugal projections has typically been studied by labeling populations of RGCs with fluorescent dyes and tracers, such as horseradish peroxidase1-4. However, these methods are too coarse to provide insight into developmental changes in individual RGC axonal arbor morphology that are the basis of retinotopic map formation. They also do not allow for the genetic manipulation of RGCs.
Recently, electroporation has become an effective method for providing precise spatial and temporal control for delivery of charged molecules into the retina5-11. Current retinal electroporation protocols do not allow for genetic manipulation and tracing of retinofugal projections of a single or small cluster of RGCs in postnatal mice. It has been argued that postnatal in vivo electroporation is not a viable method for transfecting RGCs since the labeling efficiency is extremely low and hence requires targeting at embryonic ages when RGC progenitors are undergoing differentiation and proliferation6. 
In this video we describe an in vivo electroporation protocol for targeted delivery of genes, shRNA, and fluorescent dextrans to murine RGCs postnatally. This technique provides a cost effective, fast and relatively easy platform for efficient screening of candidate genes involved in several aspects of neural development including axon retraction, branching, lamination, regeneration and synapse formation at various stages of circuit development. In summary we describe here a valuable tool which will provide further insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sensory map development.

Transfection of Mouse Retinal Ganglion Cells by in vivo Electroporation

We demonstrate an in vivo electroporation protocol for transfecting single or small clusters of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and other retinal cell types in postnatal mice over a wide range of ages. The ability to label and genetically manipulate postnatal RGCs in vivo is a powerful tool for developmental studies.

The targeting and refinement of RGC projections to the midbrain is a popular and powerful model system for studying how precise patterns of neural ...

Patch-clamp Capacitance Measurements and Ca2+ Imaging at Single Nerve Terminals in Retinal Slices

Visual stimuli are detected and conveyed over a wide dynamic range of light intensities and frequency changes by specialized neurons in the vertebrate retina. Two classes of retinal neurons, photoreceptors and bipolar cells, accomplish this by using ribbon-type active zones, which enable sustained and high-throughput neurotransmitter release over long time periods. ON-type mixed bipolar cell (Mb) terminals in the goldfish retina, which depolarize to light stimuli and receive mixed rod and cone photoreceptor input, are suitable for the study of ribbon-type synapses both due to their large size (~10-12 &mu;m diameter) and to their numerous lateral and reciprocal synaptic connections with amacrine cell dendrites. Direct access to Mb bipolar cell terminals in goldfish retinal slices with the patch-clamp technique allows the measurement of presynaptic Ca2+ currents, membrane capacitance changes, and reciprocal synaptic feedback inhibition mediated by GABAA and GABAC receptors expressed on the terminals. Presynaptic membrane capacitance measurements of exocytosis allow one to study the short-term plasticity of excitatory neurotransmitter release 14,15. In addition, short-term and long-term plasticity of inhibitory neurotransmitter release from amacrine cells can also be investigated by recordings of reciprocal feedback inhibition arriving at the Mb terminal 21. Over short periods of time (e.g. ~10 s), GABAergic reciprocal feedback inhibition from amacrine cells undergoes paired-pulse depression via GABA vesicle pool depletion 11. The synaptic dynamics of retinal microcircuits in the inner plexiform layer of the retina can thus be directly studied.
The brain-slice technique was introduced more than 40 years ago but is still very useful for the investigation of the electrical properties of neurons, both at the single cell soma, single dendrite or axon, and microcircuit synaptic level 19. Tissues that are too small to be glued directly onto the slicing chamber are often first embedded in agar (or placed onto a filter paper) and then sliced 20, 23, 18, 9. In this video, we employ the pre-embedding agar technique using goldfish retina. Some of the giant bipolar cell terminals in our slices of goldfish retina are axotomized (axon-cut) during the slicing procedure. This allows us to isolate single presynaptic nerve terminal inputs, because recording from axotomized terminals excludes the signals from the soma-dendritic compartment. Alternatively, one can also record from intact Mb bipolar cells, by recording from terminals attached to axons that have not been cut during the slicing procedure. Overall, use of this experimental protocol will aid in studies of retinal synaptic physiology, microcircuit functional analysis, and synaptic transmission at ribbon synapses.

Patch-clamp Capacitance Measurements and Ca2+ Imaging at Single Nerve Terminals in Retinal Slices

Here we describe a protocol for the preparation of agar-embedded retinal slices that are suitable for electrophysiology and Ca2+ imaging. This method allows one to study ribbon-type synapses in retinal microcircuits using direct patch-clamp recordings of single presynaptic nerve terminals.

Visual stimuli are detected and conveyed over a wide dynamic range of light intensities and frequency changes by specialized neurons in the vertebrate ...

Imaging Neuronal Responses in Slice Preparations of Vomeronasal Organ Expressing a Genetically Encoded Calcium Sensor

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) detects chemosensory signals that carry information about the social, sexual and reproductive status of the individuals within the same species 1,2. These intraspecies signals, the pheromones, as well as signals from some predators 3, activate the vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) with high levels of specificity and sensitivity 4. At least three distinct families of G-protein coupled receptors, V1R, V2R and FPR 5-14, are expressed in VNO neurons to mediate the detection of the chemosensory cues. To understand how pheromone information is encoded by the VNO, it is critical to analyze the response profiles of individual VSNs to various stimuli and identify the specific receptors that mediate these responses.
The neuroepithelia of VNO are enclosed in a pair of vomer bones. The semi-blind tubular structure of VNO has one open end (the vomeronasal duct) connecting to the nasal cavity. VSNs extend their dendrites to the lumen part of the VNO, where the pheromone cues are in contact with the receptors expressed at the dendritic knobs. The cell bodies of the VSNs form pseudo-stratified layers with V1R and V2R expressed in the apical and basal layers respectively 6-8. Several techniques have been utilized to monitor responses of VSNs to sensory stimuli 4,12,15-19. Among these techniques, acute slice preparation offers several advantages. First, compared to dissociated VSNs 3,17, slice preparations maintain the neurons in their native morphology and the dendrites of the cells stay relatively intact. Second, the cell bodies of the VSNs are easily accessible in coronal slice of the VNO to allow electrophysiology studies and imaging experiments as compared to whole epithelium and whole-mount preparations 12,20. Third, this method can be combined with molecular cloning techniques to allow receptor identification.
Sensory stimulation elicits strong Ca2+ influx in VSNs that is indicative of receptor activation 4,21. We thus develop transgenic mice that express G-CaMP2 in the olfactory sensory neurons, including the VSNs 15,22. The sensitivity and the genetic nature of the probe greatly facilitate Ca2+ imaging experiments. This method has eliminated the dye loading process used in previous studies 4,21. We also employ a ligand delivery system that enables application of various stimuli to the VNO slices. The combination of the two techniques allows us to monitor multiple neurons simultaneously in response to large numbers of stimuli. Finally, we have established a semi-automated analysis pipeline to assist image processing.

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) detects intraspecies chemical signals that convey social and reproductive information. We have performed Ca2+ imaging experiments using transgenic mice expressing G-CaMP2 in VNO tissue. This approach allows us to analyze the complicated response patterns of the vomeronasal neurons to large numbers of pheromone stimuli.

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) detects chemosensory signals that carry information about the social, sexual and reproductive status of the individuals within ...

Retrograde Fluorescent Labeling Allows for Targeted Extracellular Single-unit Recording from Identified Neurons In vivo

The overall goal of this method is to record single-unit responses from an identified population of neurons. In vivo electrophysiological recordings from individual neurons are critical for understanding how neural circuits function under natural conditions. Traditionally, these recordings have been performed 'blind', meaning the identity of the recorded cell is unknown at the start of the recording. Cellular identity can be subsequently determined via intracellular1, juxtacellular2 or loose-patch3 iontophoresis of dye, but these recordings cannot be pre-targeted to specific neurons in regions with functionally heterogeneous cell types. Fluorescent proteins can be expressed in a cell-type specific manner permitting visually-guided single-cell electrophysiology4-6. However, there are many model systems for which these genetic tools are not available. Even in genetically accessible model systems, the desired promoter may be unknown or genetically homogenous neurons may have varying projection patterns. Similarly, viral vectors have been used to label specific subgroups of projection neurons7, but use of this method is limited by toxicity and lack of trans-synaptic specificity. Thus, additional techniques that offer specific pre-visualization to record from identified single neurons in vivo are needed. Pre-visualization of the target neuron is particularly useful for challenging recording conditions, for which classical single-cell recordings are often prohibitively difficult8-11. The novel technique described in this paper uses retrograde transport of a fluorescent dye applied using tungsten needles to rapidly and selectively label a specific subset of cells within a particular brain region based on their unique axonal projections, thereby providing a visual cue to obtain targeted electrophysiological recordings from identified neurons in an intact circuit within a vertebrate CNS.
The most significant novel advancement of our method is the use of fluorescent labeling to target specific cell types in a non-genetically accessible model system. Weakly electric fish are an excellent model system for studying neural circuits in awake, behaving animals12. We utilized this technique to study sensory processing by "small cells" in the anterior exterolateral nucleus (ELa) of weakly electric mormyrid fish. "Small cells" are hypothesized to be time comparator neurons important for detecting submillisecond differences in the arrival times of presynaptic spikes13. However, anatomical features such as dense myelin, engulfing synapses, and small cell bodies have made it extremely difficult to record from these cells using traditional methods11, 14. Here we demonstrate that our novel method selectively labels these cells in 28% of preparations, allowing for reliable, robust recordings and characterization of responses to electrosensory stimulation.

Retrograde Fluorescent Labeling Allows for Targeted Extracellular Single-unit Recording from Identified Neurons In vivo

Retrograde transport of fluorescent dye labels a sub-population of neurons based on anatomical projection. Labeled axons can be visually targeted in vivo, permitting extracellular recording from identified axons. This technique facilitates recording when neurons cannot be labeled through genetic manipulation or are difficult to isolate using 'blind' in vivo approaches.

The overall goal of this method is to record single-unit responses from an identified population of neurons. In vivo electrophysiological recordings from ...

Perforated Patch-clamp Recording of Mouse Olfactory Sensory Neurons in Intact Neuroepithelium: Functional Analysis of Neurons Expressing an Identified Odorant Receptor

Analyzing the physiological responses of olfactory sensory neurons (OSN) when stimulated with specific ligands is critical to understand the basis of olfactory-driven behaviors and their modulation. These coding properties depend heavily on the initial interaction between odor molecules and the olfactory receptor (OR) expressed in the OSNs. The identity, specificity and ligand spectrum of the expressed OR are critical. The probability to find the ligand of the OR expressed in an OSN chosen randomly within the epithelium is very low. To address this challenge, this protocol uses genetically tagged mice expressing the fluorescent protein GFP under the control of the promoter of defined ORs. OSNs are located in a tight and organized epithelium lining the nasal cavity, with neighboring cells influencing their maturation and function. Here we describe a method to isolate an intact olfactory epithelium and record through patch-clamp recordings the properties of OSNs expressing defined odorant receptors. The protocol allows one to characterize OSN membrane properties while keeping the influence of the neighboring tissue. Analysis of patch-clamp results yields&#160;a precise quantification of ligand/OR interactions, transduction pathways and pharmacology, OSNs&#39; coding properties and their modulation at the membrane level.&#160;

Analyzing the physiological properties of olfactory sensory neurons still faces technical limitations. Here we record them through perforated patch-clamp in an intact preparation of the olfactory epithelium in gene-targeted mice. This technique allows the characterization of membrane properties and responses to specific ligands of neurons expressing defined olfactory receptors.

Analyzing the physiological responses of olfactory sensory neurons (OSN) when stimulated with specific ligands is critical to understand the basis of ...

Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recordings in Brain Slices

Whole-cell patch-clamp recording is an electrophysiological technique that allows the study of the&#160;electrical properties of a substantial part of the neuron. In this configuration, the micropipette is in tight contact with the cell membrane, which prevents current leakage and thereby provides more accurate ionic current measurements than the previously used intracellular sharp electrode recording method. Classically, whole-cell recording can be performed on neurons in various types of preparations, including cell culture models, dissociated neurons, neurons in brain slices, and in intact anesthetized or awake animals. In summary, this technique has immensely contributed to the understanding of passive and active biophysical properties of excitable cells. A major advantage of this technique is that it provides information on how specific manipulations (e.g., pharmacological, experimenter-induced plasticity) may alter specific neuronal functions or channels in real-time. Additionally, significant opening of the plasma membrane allows the internal pipette solution to freely diffuse into the cytoplasm, providing means for introducing drugs, e.g., agonists or antagonists of specific intracellular proteins, and manipulating these targets without altering their functions in neighboring cells. This article will focus on whole-cell recording performed on neurons in brain slices,&#160;a preparation that has the advantage of recording neurons in relatively well preserved brain circuits, i.e., in a physiologically relevant context. In particular,&#160;when combined with appropriate pharmacology, this technique is a powerful tool allowing identification of specific neuroadaptations that occurred following any type of experiences, such as learning, exposure to drugs of abuse, and stress. In summary, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in brain slices provide means to measure in ex vivo preparation long-lasting changes in neuronal functions that have developed in intact awake animals.

This protocol describes basic procedural steps for performing whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. This technique allows the study of&#160;the electrical behavior of neurons, and when performed in brain slices, allows the assessment of various neuronal functions from neurons that are still integrated in relatively well preserved brain circuits.

Whole-cell patch-clamp recording is an electrophysiological technique that allows the study of the&#160;electrical properties of a substantial part of the ...

Patch Clamp Recording of Starburst Amacrine Cells in a Flat-mount Preparation of Deafferentated Mouse Retina

The mammalian retina is a layered tissue composed of multiple neuronal types. To understand how visual signals are processed within its intricate synaptic network, electrophysiological recordings are frequently used to study connections among individual neurons. We have optimized a flat-mount preparation for patch clamp recording of genetically marked neurons in both GCL (ganglion cell layer) and INL (inner nuclear layer) of mouse retinas. Recording INL neurons in flat-mounts is favored over slices because both vertical and lateral connections are preserved in the former configuration, allowing retinal circuits with large lateral components to be studied. We have used this procedure to compare responses of mirror-partnered neurons in retinas such as the cholinergic starburst amacrine cells (SACs).

This protocol demonstrates how to perform whole-cell patch clamp recording on retinal neurons from a flat-mount preparation.

The mammalian retina is a layered tissue composed of multiple neuronal types. To understand how visual signals are processed within its intricate synaptic ...

Slice Patch Clamp Technique for Analyzing Learning-Induced Plasticity

The slice patch clamp technique is a powerful tool for investigating learning-induced neural plasticity in specific brain regions. To analyze motor-learning induced plasticity, we trained rats using an accelerated rotor rod task. Rats performed the task 10 times at 30-s intervals for 1 or 2 days. Performance was significantly improved on the training days compared to the first trial. We then prepared acute brain slices of the primary motor cortex (M1) in untrained and trained rats. Current-clamp analysis showed dynamic changes in resting membrane potential, spike threshold, afterhyperpolarization, and membrane resistance in layer II/III pyramidal neurons. Current injection induced many more spikes in 2-day trained rats than in untrained controls.
To analyze contextual-learning induced plasticity, we trained rats using an inhibitory avoidance (IA) task. After experiencing foot-shock in the dark side of a box, the rats learned to avoid it, staying in the lighted side. We prepared acute hippocampal slices from untrained, IA-trained, unpaired, and walk-through rats. Voltage-clamp analysis was used to sequentially record miniature excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs and mIPSCs) from the same CA1 neuron. We found different mean mEPSC and mIPSC amplitudes in each CA1 neuron, suggesting that each neuron had different postsynaptic strengths at its excitatory and inhibitory synapses. Moreover, compared with untrained controls, IA-trained rats had higher mEPSC and mIPSC amplitudes, with broad diversity. These results suggested that contextual learning creates postsynaptic diversity in both excitatory and inhibitory synapses at each CA1 neuron.
AMPA or GABAA receptors seemed to mediate the postsynaptic currents, since bath treatment with CNQX or bicuculline blocked the mEPSC or mIPSC events, respectively. This technique can be used to study different types of learning in other regions, such as the sensory cortex and amygdala.

The slice patch clamp technique is an effective method for analyzing learning-induced changes in the intrinsic properties and plasticity of excitatory or inhibitory synapses.