monitoring activity of neuronal micro domain using high speed tracking system

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26560459
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Basic / Social brain science
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Tsukada Yuki 名古屋大学, 理学研究科, 助教 (80580000)
• Research Collaborator: MORI Ikue ; NAKANO Shunji ; HASHIMOTO Koichi
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 顕微鏡制御 / C. elegans / カルシウムイメージング / 画像処理

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have developed a tracking system that automatically tracks microorganisms navigating freely on a small dish. The system succeeded in tracking nematodes acting freely on the temperature gradient under a high magnification objective lens. Fluorescence calcium probes were expressed in specific neurons and neural activity was measured with this system in noninvasive manner under a freely behaving condition. To analyze the time-lapse imaging data obtained from this tracking system, an image analysis program was developed. Using these tools, we analyzed behavioral factors and neural activities related to thermotaxis behavior. Our research helps to understand how activity of interneurons contributes to regulate behavior during exploratory navigation.

Free Research Field

神経科学