Techniques

Most of our research involves cell biological studies of L1 function. To this end we have a modern research lab that uses approaches from biochemistry, to immunology, microscopy, molecular biology and genetics.

Microscopy

We are currently bulding a Totral Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscope to use to image L1 and interacting proteins. We can also use the system to do time-lapse, etc. We also have a Leica wide field fluorescence scope and access to the Miami Projects wonderful imaging facility on our floor. It has a Zeiss 510 confocal microsciope and a fleet of systems for image analysis.

Biochemistry

We have routine equipment for biochemistry. Recently we have been doing 2-D gels and mass spec identification of proteins with Jack Hensold and Mike Kinter. We also study lipid rafts using biochemcial approaches.

Molecular Biology

We do routine molecular biology in the lab (cloning, yeast 2-hybrid, etc). A major emphasis of this work is to make constructs for expressing in neurons in cell culture or to make targeting vectors for mouse production. Recently we have initiated a chip project to analyze mRNA expression in L1 knock-out mice.

Cell Culture

Many of our experiments involve cell culture. Whether it is monoclonal antibody production or expression of L1 in cerebellar neurons, our cell culture room is busy and one can hear a bewildering array of music there. You might run into Japanese Pop, music from the Cleveland Orchestra, Jeff Beck or Eve 6.

Histology/Immunohistochemistry

We have a cryostat, microtome and vibrotome for making sections. We use these to study brains from mice mostly. We also use the department EM facility from time to time.



Copyright Dr. Vance Lemmon and Dr. John Bixby. All Rights Reserved