The Squid Giant Synapse

The Squid Giant Synapse
Author: Rodolfo Riascos LlinĂ¡s
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 234
Release: 1999
Genre: Neural transmission
ISBN: 9780195116526

Ideal for graduate and undergraduate courses, the book includes PC and Macintosh versions of two programs for simulating and manipulating any aspect of synaptic transmission."--BOOK JACKET.

Biophysical and Biochemical Mechanisms in Synpatic Transmitter Release

Biophysical and Biochemical Mechanisms in Synpatic Transmitter Release
Author: Rodolfo R. Llinas
Publisher:
Total Pages: 8
Release: 1988
Genre:
ISBN:

Four areas of research were addressed this summer. The first related to the study of the miniature synaptic potentials in squid synapse. The necessary low noise microelectrode amplifiers and computer programs were developed which allowed us to do on-line analysis of the spontaneous miniature release. Using this paradigm, the second portion of the research related to the effects of Synapsin I and CAM kinase II in spontaneous and evoked transmitter release. The results supported our previous hypothesis that synapsin I functions as a vesicular caging molecule. The other two areas of research developed this summer had to do with discovering that the American funnel-web spider venom (FTX) can block calcium entry into the pre-synaptic transmission in squid giant synapse. This blockage is accomplished by the flow of synpatic transmission without affecting the ionic conductance that generate the action currents pre- and post-synaptically. Finally, using FTX, the calcium channel from squid CNS were isolated and reconstitute into lipid bilayer and shown to have similar voltage dependent currents as those measured with pre-synpatic voltage clamp in the giant synapse. Keywords: Synaptic transmission, Squid giant synapse, Synapsin I, Electrophysiology, Biochemistry, Optical measurements, Calcium current. (JES).

Squid as Experimental Animals

Squid as Experimental Animals
Author: W.J., Jr. Adelman
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 531
Release: 2013-06-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1489924892

The predecessor to this book was A Guide to the Laboratory Use of the Squid Loligo pealei published by the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts in 1974. The revision of this long out of date guide, with the approval of the Marine Biological Laboratory, is an attempt to introduce students and researchers to the cephalopods and particularly the squid as an object of biological research. Therefore, we have decided to expand on its original theme, which was to present important practical aspects for using the squid as experimental animals. There are twenty two chapters instead of the original eight. The material in the original eight chapters has been completely revised. Since more than one method can be used for accomplishing a given task, some duplication of methods was considered desirable in the various chapters. Thus, the methodology can be chosen which is best suited for each reader's requirements. Each subject also contains a mini-review which can serve as an introduction to the various topics. Thus, the volume is not just a laboratory manual, but can also be used as an introduction to squid biology. The book is intended for laboratory technicians, advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, researchers, and all others who want to learn the purpose, methods, and techniques of using squid as experimental animals. This is the reason why the name has been changed to its present title. Preceding the chapters is a list of many of the abbreviations, prefixes, and suffixes used in this volume.

Biophysical and Biochemical Mechanisms in Synaptic Transmitter Release

Biophysical and Biochemical Mechanisms in Synaptic Transmitter Release
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 5
Release: 1994
Genre:
ISBN:

The project on synaptic transmission in the squid giant synapse was supported from years 1989 to 1994, and was discontinued due to a drastic reduction of funding to this branch of the Air Force Biological Research Program. Over the period of its tenure many fundamental discoveries were reported from the work supported by this grant. Among them (1) The discovery of P type calcium channels as the main trigger for transmitter release in invertebrates and vertebrate synapses, to include mammalian forms; (2) The first demonstration of calcium microdomains in presynaptic terminals and their role in synaptic transmitter release. In addition, measurements were also done of the maximum concentration attained at these microdomains and the time course for the calcium concentration profile; (3) The mechanisms by which botulinum and tetanus toxin block synaptic release; (4) Finally, the role of high inositol phosphate moieties in synaptic release were also studied.

Synapse, Neuron, Brain

Synapse, Neuron, Brain
Author: A.C. Damask
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 352
Release: 2012-12-02
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0323154646

Synapse, Neuron, Brain, the third and last volume in the series Medical Physics, focuses on neurons and their interactions. Comprised of seven chapters regarding the brain's synapses and nerves, this volume concludes through the presentation of medical physics and its applications. An introductory chapter of this volume provides the necessary basic concepts and theories needed in the understanding of the book. This is followed by a discussion on the brain and its interconnections with the spinal cord. Chapter 3 focuses on the importance of evoked potentials as a diagnostic tool for the sensory organ and the neural processing of the stimuli. Chemical and electrical properties of synapses are also given emphasis. Other topics covered in this volume include the rall theory and neuronal integration; membrane noise at synaptic junctions; and new techniques on brain studies (autoradiography, positron annihilation, and nuclear magnetic resonance). As with the other volumes, this also caters to persons in various disciplines such as medicine, physiology, physics, and biology.