Summary
Here are some highlights from the October 2011 Issue of Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE).
Protocol
Transfecting and Nucleofecting Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Papri Chatterjee, Yuri Cheung, Chee LiewUCR Stem Cell Center, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, University of California Riverside
Despite recent advancements in genetic modification, transfection of human embryonic stem cells (HESCs) remains a capricious process. To our knowledge, systematic and efficient methods to transfect human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have not been reported. Here, we describe robust protocols to efficiently transfect and nucleofect human iPSCs.
Microwave Assisted Rapid Diagnosis of Plant Virus Diseases by Transmission Electron Microscopy
Bernd Zechmann1, 2, Gerhard Graggaber1, Günther Zellnig11Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Graz, 2Institute for Electron Microscopy and Fine Structure Research, Graz University of Technology
This study describes a method that allows the rapid and clear diagnosis of plant virus diseases in about half a day by using a combination of microwave assisted plant sample preparation for transmission electron microscopy and negative staining methods.
Following Cell-Fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda
Lanying Zeng1, Ido Golding1, 2, 31Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2Center for the Physics of Living Cells, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 3Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine
This article describes the procedure for preparing a fluorescently-labeled version of bacteriophage lambda, infection of E. coli bacteria, following the infection outcome under the microscope, and analysis of infection results.
Stem Cell Transplantation Strategies for the Restoration of Cognitive Dysfunction Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy
Munjal M. Acharya*, Dante E. Roa*, Omar Bosch, Mary L. Lan*, Charles L. LimoliDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of California Irvine
* These authors contributed equally
Brain tumor patients routinely undergo cranial radiotherapy, and while beneficial, this treatment often results in debilitating cognitive dysfunction. This serious unresolved problem has at present, no clinical recourse, and has driven our efforts to devise stem cell based therapies for the recovery of radiation-induced cognitive decrements.
Quantifying Cognitive Decrements Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy
Lori- Ann Christie, Munjal M. Acharya, Charles L. LimoliDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of California Irvine
Cognitive impairment resulting from the radiotherapeutic management of brain tumors represents a clinically intractable condition that adversely impacts quality of life. The capability to critically evaluate potential interventions for ameliorating radiation-induced cognitive decrements ultimately depends on the capability to undertake rigorous quantitative assessments of cognition.
The Trier Social Stress Test Protocol for Inducing Psychological Stress
Melissa A. BirkettDepartment of Psychology, Northern Arizona University
This article describes a protocol for inducing psychological stress in participants, which enables researchers to measure psychological, physiological and neuroendocrine responses to stress within single participants or between groups.
Oral Biofilm Analysis of Palatal Expanders by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy
Barbara Klug1, 2, Claudia Rodler1, Martin Koller3, Gernot Wimmer3, Harald H. Kessler2, Martin Grube4, Elisabeth Santigli11Department of Orthodontics and Maxillofacial Orthopedics, Medical University of Graz, 2Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 3Department of Prosthodontics, Restorative Dentistry, Periodontology and Implantology, Medical University of Graz, 4Institute of Plant Sciences, Karl-Franzens-University Graz
We present a protocol for structural and compositional analysis of natural oral biofilm from orthodontic appliances with in situ hybridization (FISH) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Oral biofilm samples were collected from palatal expanders, scraping acrylic-resin flakes off their surface and referring them for molecular processing.
Quantitatively Measuring In situ Flows using a Self-Contained Underwater Velocimetry Apparatus (SCUVA)
Kakani Katija1, Sean P. Colin2, 3, John H. Costello3, 4, John O. Dabiri51Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2Environmental Science and Marine Biology, Roger Williams University, 3Marine Biology Laboratory, Whitman Center, 4Department of Biology, Providence College, 5Departments of Aeronautics and Bioengineering, California Institute of Technology
This protocol provides instructions on how to use a self-contained underwater velocimetry apparatus (SCUVA), which is designed for quantification of in situ animal-generated flows. In addition, this protocol addresses challenges posed by field conditions, and includes operator motion, predicting position of animals, and orientation of SCUVA.
Imaging Odor-Evoked Activities in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb using Optical Reflectance and Autofluorescence Signals
Romain Chery, Barbara L’Heureux, Mounir Bendahmane, Rémi Renaud, Claire Martin, Frédéric Pain, Hirac GurdenLaboratoire d’Imagerie et de Modélisation en Neurobiologie et Cancérologie, UMR8165 Université Paris Sud 11, Paris Diderot 7 – CNRS
This article presents the protocols of intrinsic optical signals and flavoproteins autofluorescence signals imaging to map odor-evoked activities at the surface of the olfactory bulb in mice.
