Brandeis University View Institution's Website 12 articles published in JoVE Neuroscience Construction and Implementation of Carbon Fiber Microelectrode Arrays for Chronic and Acute In Vivo Recordings Kristen N. Reikersdorfer*1, Andrea K. Stacy*2, David A. Bressler2, Lauren S. Hayashi2, Keith B. Hengen1, Stephen D. Van Hooser2 1Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, 2Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience, Brandeis University This protocol describes a procedure for constructing carbon fiber microelectrode arrays for chronic and acute in vivo electrophysiological recordings in mouse (Mus musculus) and ferret (Mustela putorius furo) from multiple brain regions. Each step, following the purchase of raw carbon fibers to microelectrode array implantation, is described in detail, with emphasis on microelectrode array construction. Engineering Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature Teagan E. Bate1, Edward J. Jarvis1, Megan E. Varney1, Kun-Ta Wu1,2 1Department of Physics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2Department of Physics, Brandeis University The goal of this protocol is to use temperature to control the flow speeds of three-dimensional active fluids. The advantage of this method not only allows for regulating flow speeds in situ but also enables dynamic control, such as periodically tuning flow speeds up and down. Bioengineering High Resolution 3D Imaging of the Human Pancreas Neuro-insular Network Elizabeth Butterworth1, Wesley Dickerson2, Vindhya Vijay3, Kristina Weitzel1, Julia Cooper1, Eric W. Atkinson4, Jason E. Coleman5, Kevin J. Otto4, Martha Campbell-Thompson1 1Department of Pathology, Immunology and Experimental Medicine, University of Florida, 2Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 3Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 4Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Florida, 5Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida Here, we present a protocol to image human pancreas sections in three dimensions (3D) using optimized passive clearing methods. This manuscript demonstrates these procedures for passive optical clearing followed by multiple immunofluorescence staining to identify key elements of the autonomic and sensory neural networks innervating human islets. Engineering 3D Printing of Biomolecular Models for Research and Pedagogy Eduardo Da Veiga Beltrame1, James Tyrwhitt-Drake2, Ian Roy3, Raed Shalaby4, Jakob Suckale4, Daniel Pomeranz Krummel5 1Department of Physics, Brandeis University, 2Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch (BCBB), NIH/NIAID/OD/OSMO/OCICB, 3Library/LTS/MakerLab, Brandeis University, 4Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry (IFIB), University of Tübingen, 5Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine Physical models of biomolecules can facilitate an understanding of their structure-function for the researcher, aid in communication between researchers, and serve as an educational tool in pedagogical endeavors. Here, we provide detailed guidance for the 3D printing of accurate models of biomolecules using fused filament fabrication desktop 3D printers. Biology Purification of Native Complexes for Structural Study Using a Tandem Affinity Tag Method Clarisse van der Feltz1, Daniel Pomeranz Krummel1,2 1Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, 2Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine The Tandem Affinity Purification (TAP) method has been used extensively to isolate native complexes from cellular extract, primarily eukaryotic, for proteomics. Here, we present a TAP method protocol optimized for purification of native complexes for structural studies. Neuroscience Mapping and Application of Enhancer-trap Flippase Expression in Larval and Adult Drosophila CNS Taylor R. Fore1, Audrey A. Ojwang1, Margaret L. Warner1, Xinyun Peng1, Rudolf A. Bohm1,2, William P. Welch1, Lindsey K. Goodnight1, Hong Bao1, Bing Zhang1 1Department of Zoology, University of Oklahoma - Norman, 2Department of Biology, Brandeis University We describe a Flippase-induced intersectional Gal80/Gal4 repression (FINGR) method, allowing tissue-specific FLP to determine Gal80 expression patterns. Wherever Gal4 and FLP overlap, Gal4 expression is turned on (Gal80 flipped out) or off (Gal80 flipped in). The FINGR method is versatile for clonal analysis and neural circuit mapping. Medicine Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care Laura S. Lorenz*1,2, Jon A. Chilingerian*2 1Institute for Behavioral Health, Brandeis University, 2Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University This paper illustrates an innovative visual approach (photovoice or photo-elicitation) to achieve fair process in clinical care for patients living with chronic health conditions, illuminate gaps in clinical knowledge, forge better therapeutic relationships, and identify patient-centered goals and possibilities for healing. Biology Homarus Americanus Stomatogastric Nervous System Dissection Anne-Elise Tobin1, Hilary S. Bierman1 1Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis We describe the fine dissection of the stomatogastric nervous system from the stomach of the American lobster (Homarus americanus). Biology Gross Dissection of the Stomach of the Lobster, Homarus Americanus Hilary S. Bierman1, Anne-Elise Tobin1 1Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis We describe the gross dissection of the stomach of the American lobster (Homarus americanus). Biology Cancer Borealis Stomatogastric Nervous System Dissection Gabrielle J. Gutierrez1, Rachel G. Grashow1 1Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis The stomatogastric nervous system (STNS) of the Jonah crab (C. borealis) can be used for electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, and cell culture studies. The STNS extraction is done in two parts: the gross and fine dissection. Biology Channelrhodopsin2 Mediated Stimulation of Synaptic Potentials at Drosophila Neuromuscular Junctions Nicholas J. Hornstein1, Stefan R. Pulver1, Leslie C. Griffith1 1Department of Biology, Brandeis This procedure uses a blue light-activated algal channel and cell-specific genetic expression tools to evoke synaptic potentials with light pulses at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in Drosophila larvae. This technique is an inexpensive and easy-to-use alternative to suction electrode stimulation for synaptic physiology studies in research and teaching laboratories. Biology High-Resolution Video Tracking of Locomotion in Adult Drosophila Melanogaster Justin B. Slawson1, Eugene Z. Kim1, Leslie C. Griffith1 1National Center for Behavioral Genomics, Department of Biology, Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis The study of complex locomotor behavior in Drosophila melanogaster is dependent upon the ability to quantify changes in a given fly's movement. This article demonstrates how to do this using a high-resolution tracking system.