Cordelia Imig and Barbara L. Lind

Department of Neuroscience, KU

Cordelia Imig: Dissecting the Molecular and Structural Basis of Neurosecretion

Abstract: Regulated fusion of vesicles in neurosecretory cells is orchestrated by a complex and highly conserved
molecular machinery that determines the speed and fidelity of cell-to-cell signalling and in particular synaptic transmission. My research goal is to understand how molecular and ultrastructural features contribute to the functional heterogeneity of distinct neurosecretory systems and how these mechanisms are ultimately involved in regulating behaviour, physiology, or metabolism.

Barbara L. Lind: Study of functional interactions at the astrocyte-vascular interface with fast 3D two-photon Ca2+ imaging in awake mice

Abstract: Cerebral blood flow is increased during neuronal activity. The blood is recruited to the capillary bed from Controversy exists over whether changes in astrocyte activity are rapid and prevalent enough to contribute to the control of blood flow in the brain. In my work I use a 3D Ca2+ imaging approach to study dynamics in vessels and astrocytic end-feet simultaneously, on multiple focal planes. 3D scanning conditions were set to allow quasi-simultaneous monitoring fast local Ca2+ increases in astrocyte end-feet at arteriole and capillary level, while spatial-temporal resolution was sufficiently high to monitor and define their temporal sequence with respect to vascular diameter changes.