title: Using Cultured Mammalian Neurons to Study Cellular Processes and Neurodegeneration: A Suite of Undergraduate Lab Exercises.
abstract: Cell culture is a powerful tool for exploring cellular function. Culturing primary neurons has revealed how neurons communicate in learning and memory (Kandel, 2006) and provided insights into the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease (Alberio et al., 2012; Trinchese, et al., 2004). Here we describe a series of four modular laboratory exercises to integrate this neuroscience technique in undergraduate teaching laboratories. First, we describe the modular approach. Then we provide educators with simple techniques for culturing rat primary neurons, performing immunohistochemistry to label cellular components, and illustrating neurodegeneration caused by reactive oxygen species. We describe teaching exercises that culminate in student-generated research projects. Finally, we describe potential barriers students may face when integrating modern cell culture experiments into teaching laboratories.
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Catlin
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456.
authors.forename: Abigail
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ditchek
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Burnett
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456.
authors.forename: Showkhin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456.
authors.forename: Marguerite
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Touhey
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wynkoop
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ryan
keywords: antioxidants; axon path finding; cell culture; free radicals; growth cones; immunohistochemistry; neurites; neurodegeneration