Mentor Areas
I study the dynamic role of glia in repair of the cortex in acquired and inherited disorders of myelin. We use multiphoton imaging to study the structural and functional changes in glial cells in the intact cortex, as well as immunofluorescence, gene and RNA expression in single cells, as well as complex image analysis on large data sets. We are interested in developing new models of neuroinflammation. We hope to develop novel therapies to repair the brain in diseases like multiple sclerosis.
Description:
In my laboratory we perform multiphoton imaging of the brain of anesthetized transgenic mice to visualize cell-specific expression of fluorescent proteins in glial (active non-neuronal) cells in the brain. We longitudinally monitor the dynamics of individual cells over the course of demyelinating damage and repair. For a summer research project, an undergraduate will learn how to cryo-section, mount, immunostain and acquire fluorescent images of transgenic mice from time-points matching those from longitudinal in vivo experiments. In doing so, they will learn experimental design, including the identifications and use of proper controls and how to modify future experiments based on these results. They will also learn how to perform cell counts using ImageJ and be introduced to analysis tools developed in MATLAB or Python. They will be encouraged to explore the literature to identify alternative approaches to test the expression and functional changes in a type of glial cell called astrocytes.
Preferred Qualifications
Cellular and molecular biology coursework preferred. Neuroscience and engineering courses encouraged.
Project Website
Learn more about the researcher and/or the project here. Orthmann-Murphy Lab
Details:
Preferred Student Year
First-year, Second-Year, Junior, Senior
Academic Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
No
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.