title: Alignment and calibration of a focal neurotransmitter uncaging system.
abstract: Photolysis of caged compounds is a powerful tool for studying subcellular physiological functions. Here we describe protocols for the alignment and calibration of a focal uncaging system. We also report procedures for convenient quantitative calibration of uncaging. Using these methods, we can achieve submicron lateral resolution of photolysis and probe biological function in spines, the smallest signaling compartments of neurons. Initially, the entire alignment procedure takes 4-6 h to perform; periodic fine-tuning of the system takes 1-2 h.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA.
authors.forename: Dmitry V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Sarkisov
authors.forename: Samuel S-H
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D010782:Photolysis / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents