University of Vienna 13 articles published in JoVE Behavior The Innovation Arena: A Method for Comparing Innovative Problem-Solving Across Groups Theresa Rössler1,3, Berenika Mioduszewska1,4, Mark O’Hara1,2, Ludwig Huber1, Dewi M. Prawiradilaga2, Alice M. I. Auersperg1 1Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, University of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, 2Research Center for Biology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), 3Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, 4Max Planck Institute for Ornithology The Innovation Arena is a novel comparative method for studying technical innovation rate per time unit in animals. It is composed of 20 different problem-solving tasks, which are presented simultaneously. Innovations can be carried out freely and the setup is robust with regard to predispositions on an individual, population or species level. Environment Laser-Induced Fluorescence Emission (L.I.F.E.) as Novel Non-Invasive Tool for In-Situ Measurements of Biomarkers in Cryospheric Habitats Klemens Weisleitner1,2, Lars Hunger3, Christoph Kohstall4, Albert Frisch5, Michael C. Storrie-Lombardi6, Birgit Sattler1,2 1Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, 2Austrian Polar Research Institute, University of Vienna, 3BrainLinks-BrainTools, Bernstein Center Freiburg, 4Atom Science, Kasevich Lab, Stanford University, 5Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Innsbruck, 6Department of Physics, Extraterrestrial Vehicle Instruments Laboratory, Harvey Mudd College Carbon fluxes in the cryosphere are hardly assessed yet but are crucial regarding climate change. Here we show a novel prototype device that captures the phototrophic potential in supraglacial environments based on laser-induced fluorescence emission (L.I.F.E.) technology offering high spectral and spatial resolution data under in situ conditions. Genetics High-Density DNA and RNA microarrays - Photolithographic Synthesis, Hybridization and Preparation of Large Nucleic Acid Libraries Jory Lietard1, Erika Schaudy1, Kathrin Hölz1, Dominik Ameur1, Mark M. Somoza1 1Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna In this article, we present and discuss new developments in the synthesis and applications of nucleic acid microarrays fabricated in situ. Specifically, we show how the protocols for DNA synthesis can be extended to RNA and how microarrays can be used to create retrievable nucleic acid libraries. Chemistry Technical Aspect of the Automated Synthesis and Real-Time Kinetic Evaluation of [11C]SNAP-7941 Chrysoula Vraka1, Verena Pichler1, Sarah Pfaff1, Theresa Balber1,2, Marcus Hacker1, Markus Mitterhauser1,3, Wolfgang Wadsak1,4, Cecile Philippe1 1Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 2Department for Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 3Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Applied Diagnostics, 4CBmed GmbH - Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine Here, we represent a protocol for the fully automated radiolabelling of [11C]SNAP-7941 and the analysis of the real-time kinetics of this PET-tracer on P-gp expressing and non-expressing cells. Bioengineering Biological Compatibility Profile on Biomaterials for Bone Regeneration Carina Kampleitner1, Jessika Obi2, Nicola Vassilev2, Michelle M. Epstein2, Oskar Hoffmann1 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, 2Laboratory of Experimental Allergy, Division of Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna The number of novel biomaterials engineered for repairing large bone lesions is continuously expanding with the aim to enhance bone healing and overcome the complications associated with bone transplantation. Here, we present a multidisciplinary strategy for pre-clinical biocompatibility testing of biomaterials for bone repair. Medicine Contractility Measurements of Human Uterine Smooth Muscle to Aid Drug Development Sarah Arrowsmith*1, Peter Keov2, Markus Muttenthaler3,4, Christian W. Gruber*2,5 1Harris-Wellbeing Preterm Birth Research Centre, Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, 2School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, 3Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Vienna, 4Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, 5Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna This article describes experimental protocols to study ex vivo contractions of human myometrium and their application in drug discovery. This technique is used to improve the understanding of myometrial physiology and pathophysiology as well as to validate pharmacological data from novel research probes or drug leads. Biology Hemi-laryngeal Setup for Studying Vocal Fold Vibration in Three Dimensions Christian T. Herbst1,2, Vit Hampala1, Maxime Garcia2,3, Riccardo Hofer2, Jan G. Svec1 1Voice Research Lab, Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Science, Palacky University Olomouc, 2Laboratory of Bio-Acoustics, Dept. of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, 3ENES Lab, NEURO-PSI,CNRS UMR 9197, Université Lyon/Saint-Etienne, France This paper introduces a protocol for the preparation of hemi-larynx specimens facilitating a multi-dimensional view of vocal fold vibration, in order to investigate various biophysical aspects of voice production in humans and non-human mammals. Behavior The Other End of the Leash: An Experimental Test to Analyze How Owners Interact with Their Pet Dogs Giulia Cimarelli1,2,3, Borbála Turcsán1,4, Friederike Range1,2, Zsófia Virányi1,2 1Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, 2Wolf Science Center, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, 3Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, 4Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences This article presents eight different experimental tasks, mirroring the everyday life of dogs and owners, used to analyze how owners interact with their dogs in a standardized way. The tasks included both positive (e.g. play) and negative (potentially stressful) situations (e.g. physical restriction). Environment RGB and Spectral Root Imaging for Plant Phenotyping and Physiological Research: Experimental Setup and Imaging Protocols Gernot Bodner1, Mouhannad Alsalem1, Alireza Nakhforoosh1, Thomas Arnold2, Daniel Leitner3,4 1Division of Agronomy, Department of Crop Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 2Carinthian Tech Research AG, High Tech Campus Villach, 3Computational Science Center, University of Vienna, 4Simulationswerkstatt An experimental protocol is presented for assessment of soil grown plant root systems with RGB and hyperspectral imaging. Combination of RGB image time series with chemometric information from hyperspectral scans optimizes insights into plant root dynamics. Bioengineering Single Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy on Planar Supported Bilayers Markus Axmann1, Gerhard J. Schütz1, Johannes B. Huppa2 1Institute of Applied Physics - Biophysics, Vienna University of Technology, 2Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Immune Recognition Unit, Medical University of Vienna Preparation of protein-functionalized planar glass-supported lipid bilayers, determination of protein mobility within and measurement of protein densities is shown here. A roadmap to building a noise-reduced Total Internal Reflection microscope is outlined, which allows visualizing single bilayer-resident fluorochromes with high spatiotemporal resolution. Bioengineering Measuring TCR-pMHC Binding In Situ using a FRET-based Microscopy Assay Markus Axmann1, Gerhard J. Schütz1, Johannes B. Huppa2 1Institute for Applied Physics - Biophysics, Vienna University of Technology, 2Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Medical University of Vienna This manuscript describes how to conduct (single molecule) Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)- based assays to measure the binding dynamics between T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) and antigenic peptide-loaded MHC molecules as they occur within the immunological synapse of a T-cell in contact with a functionalized planar supported lipid bilayer. Bioengineering Manufacturing Of Robust Natural Fiber Preforms Utilizing Bacterial Cellulose as Binder Koon-Yang Lee1,2, Siti Rosminah Shamsuddin3, Marta Fortea-Verdejo1, Alexander Bismarck1,3 1Polymer and Composite Engineering (PaCE) Group, Institute of Materials Chemistry and Research, University of Vienna, 2Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, 3Polymer and Composite Engineering (PaCE) Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London We present a novel method of manufacturing rigid and robust short natural fiber preforms using a papermaking process. Bacterial cellulose acts simultaneously as the binder for the loose fibers and provides rigidity to the fiber preforms. These preforms can be infused with a resin to produce truly green hierarchical composites. Medicine Stretch in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (cEND) as an In Vitro Traumatic Brain Injury Model of the Blood Brain Barrier Ellaine Salvador1, Winfried Neuhaus1,2, Carola Foerster1 1Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie, Zentrum für operative Medizin der Universität Würzburg, 2Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna In vitro traumatic brain injury models are being developed to reproduce in vivo brain deformation. Stretch-induced injury has been employed for astrocytes, neurons, glial cells, aortic, and brain endothelial cells. However, our system uses a blood brain barrier (BBB) model that possesses properties constituting a legitimate model of the BBB to establish an in vitro TBI model.
