THE BRI WELCOMES TW0 NEW MEMBERS
Two new members, Dr. Hugh T. Blair, Assistant Professor
of Behavioral Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology,
and Dr. Juan Carlos G. Marvizón, Assistant Professor
of Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases recently joined
the Brain Research Institute.
Hugh T. Blair received a Ph.D. degree in behavioral neuroscience
from Yale University in 1998. He then completed a postdoctoral
fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Joseph LeDoux at New
York University Center for Neural Science. In 2002, Dr.
Blair joined UCLA’s Department of Psychology as
an Assistant Professor of Behavioral Neuroscience.
Describing his current investigations, Dr. Blair states,
“My research combines experimental neurophysiology
with theoretical modeling to investigate basic principles
of neural computation in the nervous system. I am particularly
interested in understanding how learning alters nerve
cells and synapses to form memories, and how these cellular
changes are ultimately responsible for changes in behavior.
The primary method that I use to address these questions
in my research is to record neural activity from awake,
behaving rats while they are actively engaged in learning
tasks. For example, to study the neural basis of long-term
memory storage, I record neurons from the hippocampus
and amygdala during aversive conditioning tasks, because
these brain structures rapidly store long-lasting memories
of aversive events. To study short-term memory mechanisms
I record neurons called head-direction cells from the
anterior thalamus and limbic cortex because these neurons
implement a simple short-term working memory circuit that
maintains an online representation of the rats’
directional heading. Based on the results of these neurophysiology
experiments, I try to develop computational models to
explain how specific neural circuits participate in storing
new memories, retrieving old memories, and making behavioral
decisions.”
Juan Carlos G. Marvizón received a Ph.D. degree
in biochemistry from the Universidad Autónoma de
Madrid, Centro de Biología Molecular, Madrid, Spain,
in 1985. Upon completion of his degree, Dr. Marvizón
moved to Gennevilliers, France to join Pharmuka Laboratories
as a researcher in the pharmaceutical company. In 1986,
Dr. Marvizón was the recipient of a Fulbright and
Fogarty Fellow, and joined the Laboratory of Neuroscience
at the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney
Disease, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland. In 1989, Dr. Marvizón
returned to the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid,
and served as “Profesor Titular,” in the Departmento
de Biología Molecular until coming to the United
States in 1991. From 1991 to 1993, Dr. Marvizón
served as research assistant professor in the Department
of Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California.
Dr. Marvizón joined UCLA in 1994, and is currently
an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of
Digestive Diseases.
Describing his research interests, Dr. Marzivón
states, “My research field is the neurophysiology
of pain and analgesia, and the overall goal of my work
is to investigate cellular and molecular mechanisms that
mediate central sensitization in the spinal cord. Central
sensitization, a process that underlies numerous chronic
pain disorders, results in the long-term increase of nociceptive
signals that reach the spinal cord and are then sent to
higher regions of the CNS where they become conscious
pain sensations. Recent discoveries have revealed the
important role played by substance P and its receptor,
the neurokinin 1 receptor, in mediating central sensitization.
On the other hand, endogenous opioid peptides released
in the spinal cord may be the natural way for the body
to reverse central sensitization. I have developed a new
methodology which measures the activation of neuropeptide
receptors by their internalization. Most G protein-coupled
receptors are internalized after agonist binding, and
this internalization can be detected using antibodies
against the receptor. Thus, if a given stimulus produces
receptor internalization, it can be inferred that it has
elicited the release of endogenous agonists that activate
that receptor. In my laboratory we use electrophysiology
techniques to deliver precise electrical stimulation to
spinal cord slices or to live animals while performing
intracellular and axonal recordings to monitor neuronal
activity evoked by the stimulation. We have recently started
to study animal behavioral responses to pain as well,
using standard tests like the tail-flick test to measure
analgesia. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to
map the neuronal circuitry and characterize the pharmacological
properties of the signaling systems that activate opioid
receptors and substance P receptors in the spinal cord”
The Brain Research Institute is happy to welcome its
newest members.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Russell Johnson,
archivist for the UCLA Neuroscience History Archives and
Louise Darling Biomedical Library, was elected to the
post of Secretary in Women in Neuroscience (WIN); he began
his two-year service in January, 2003. Information about
WIN, an international organization promoting the advancement
of women neuroscientists at all career levels, is available
through its website: http://www.womeninneuroscience.org.
Warm congratulations to Russell Johnson.
MARK
YOUR CALENDARS
The Joint Seminars in Neuroscience (JSN) series will
begin the Spring quarter March 25, 2003. Mark your calendars
and plan to join us every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. in the
Louis Jolyon West Auditorium (C8-183 NPI).
March 25, 2003
Wolfram Schultz, Ph.D.
Department of Anatomy, University of Cambridge, United
Kingdom
“Reward Processing in the Basal Ganglia and Frontal
Cortex”
April 1, 2003
Étienne Émile Baulieu, Ph.D.
INSERM, France
The Charles H. Sawyer Distinguished Lecture
“Title to be Determined”
April 8, 2003
To Be Determined
April 15, 2003
Elizabeth Gould, Ph.D.
Princeton University
“Title to be Determined”
April 22, 2003
Susumu Tonegawa, Ph.D.
Director, Center of Memory & Learning, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
“Title To Be Determined”
April 29, 2003
Robert M. Sapolsky, Ph.D.
Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University,
and Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences,
Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
“Stress, Neurodegeneration, and Strategies for Saving
the Endangered Neuron”
May 6, 2003
Heinrich Betz, M.D.
Max-Lanck Institute, Frankfurt, Germany
“Title to be Determined”
May 13, 2003
Edvard I. Moser, Ph.D.
Centre for the Biology of Memory, Norwegian University
of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
“Memory Computations in Hippocampal and Parahippocampal
Neuronal Circuits”
May 20, 2003
To Be Determined
May 27, 2003
Chris Cain
Interdepartmental Graduate Program for Neuroscience
The Eleventh Annual Samuel Eiduson Student Lecture
“Overcoming Fear: Behavioral Pharmacology and Physiology
of Fear Extinction in Mice”
The Joint Seminars in Neuroscience are sponsored by The
Brain Research Institute and the Neuropsychiatric Institute;
co-sponsored by the Interdepartmental Programs for Neuroscience,
the Mental Retardation Research Center, and the Departments
of Anesthesiology, Neurobiology, Neurology, Pathology
and Laboratory Medicine, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral
Sciences, Psychology, Physiology, Physiological Science,
Ophthalmology, and Surgery/Neurosurgery.
Category 1 Continuing Medical Education (CME). This is
an activity offered by the UCLA NPI&H, a CMA-accredited
provider. Physicians attending this course may report
up to 1 hour of Category 1 credit per course toward the
CMA’s Certificate in Continuing Medical Education
and the AMA’s Physician’s Recognition Award.
GRANTS,
FELLOWSHIPS & AWARDS
Seed Grants in Substance Abuse Research
The Center for Study of Opioid Receptors and Drugs of
Abuse (CSORDA) will offer three Pilot Projects, of up
to $20,000 for each project, in areas related to the basic
science of substance abuse. Faculty seeking funding must
be associated with UCLA. Funding will begin June 2003
and end May 31, 2004. (No carryover of funds can be permitted.)
At this time a single-page letter of intent is requested
briefly describing the proposed research, so that a limited
number of faculty can be selected to write a more extended
proposal of no more than 5 pages for further consideration.
The criteria for deciding funding will be the following:
1) scientific excellence; 2) relevance to substance abuse;
3) potential for initiation of collaborative projects
with CSORDA faculty; 4) potential for obtaining independent
funding; 5) relevance to the theme of CSORDA, which is
"Mechanisms of Opioid Receptor Signaling and Relationship
to Opioid Induced Behaviors." Please send letters
of intent, no later than Monday March 17, 2003 to: Terry
Novorr, Dept. of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences,
760 Westwood Plaza, NPI - Box 77 (MC#175919), Los Angeles,
California 90024. If you need additional information on
the program contact either Chris Evans at 206-7884, or
Nigel Maidment at 206-7767. Terry Novorr can be reached
at 206-3436 and her e-mail address is TNovorr@mednet.ucla.edu.
Information on CSORDA can be found at http://hatos.ucla.edu/
Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Henry E.
Singleton Brain Cancer Research Program at UCLA
JCCC’s Henry Singleton Brain Cancer Research Program
at UCLA is providing a significant effort to support pilot
projects through developmental grants that take maximum
advantage of new research opportunities.
Singleton Developmental Grants are available for members
of the UCLA community to support innovative translational
research in all areas of investigation that impact brain
cancer. Applications that promote multidisciplinary collaboration
between basic, preclinical and clinical programs are particularly
encouraged. Areas of special consideration will include
animal models, stem cell research, imaging (in vitro and
in vivo), and novel genetic/molecular evaluations. Junior
investigators who are considering a career in brain cancer
research will also be strongly considered.
The criteria for judging these applications will be:
1) scientific merit 2) translational potential 3) relevance
to brain cancer 4) potential for collaborative research,
and 5) qualifications of the investigative team to perform
the proposed research. Strong consideration will also
be given to individuals and groups without significant
prior involvement in brain cancer research.
Grants of a maximum of $50,000 will be awarded for a
one-year period. Additional research funding for a second
year is contingent on progress in the first year but will
be strongly considered. Funds can be used for technical
support or supplies. This funding cannot be used to support
the salary of the principal investigator or to purchase
major items of equipment. Funding will start by May 1,
2003.
Application Process: Applicants must be UCLA faculty
members. The application does not need a goldenrod and
does not go through Sponsored Research. There are no specific
forms. The first page should contain the name of the principal
investigator with complete mailing address including campus
mail code, phone and fax numbers and e-mail address and
a half-page abstract that clearly states the hypothesis,
its importance to brain cancer, the specific aims of the
project, and the proposed experimental approach. Background,
preliminary data (if any), proposed experiments, any other
text, figures and references may not exceed 4 pages (12
pt font). If essential, attach no more than one relevant
reprint or preprint. NIH-style Biosketches and Other Support
must accompany the application. Ten copies of the application
should be submitted by March 31, 2003 to Tim Cloughesy,
MD, Henry Singleton Brain Cancer Research Program, RNRC
Suite 1-230, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1738 (campus mail code
173818, phone 310-825-5321).
THE BRAIN RESEARCH INSTITUTE CORE
FACILITIES SERVICES
Carol Moss Spivak Cell Imaging Facility
Confocal Microscopy
For information, contact:
Dr. Matt Schibler X59783
E-mail: mschibler@mednet.ucla.edu
Electron Microscopy and Specimen Preparation
For information, contact:
Brigitta Sjostrand X68054
E-mail: birgitta@ucla.edu
Microscopic Techniques and Histological Preparation
For information, contact:
Sharon Sampogna X59848
E-mail: sampogna@ucla.edu
Other Cores:
Pasarow Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
For information, contact:
Dr. Kym Faull X67881
E-mail: faull@chem.ucla.edu
EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
Postdoctoral
Positions
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Brain Imaging of
Substance Abuse
The Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences
at UCLA invites applicants to join a multidisciplinary
research team using PET in studies of brain function related
to drug abuse. The position (for 2-3 years) is available
immediately and will focus on development and execution
of studies on interactions of drugs of abuse with brain
systems in rodent and nonhuman primate models. This position
offers a rich academic environment and state-of-the-art
equipment, including a MicroPET scanner. Candidates should
have doctoral training in pharmacology, neuroscience,
or experimental psychology. Experience in animal research
is required. Knowledge of neuroanatomy, strong computer
skills, and prior publications would be helpful. Contact
Dr. Edythe D. London, Ph.D.
NIH-Funded Postdoctoral Position--Mechanisms of Neural
Repair in the Brain and Spinal Cord
A postdoctoral position is available to study mechanisms
of neural repair in the brain and spinal cord. Projects
centered on neurotrophic factors are being pursued, involving
molecular, cellular, and behavioral approaches. The paradigm
is that trophic factors can be induced by the practice
of select behaviors. Productive experience in molecular
biology or biochemistry is desired. The successful candidate
will become part of a major collaborative effort between
basic and clinical neuroscientists to develop new approaches
to repair the brain and spinal cord. Send resume to: F.
Gómez-Pinilla, Ph.D., Dept. of Physiological Science.,
621 Charles E. Young Dr., UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1527,
E-mail: fgomezpi@mednet.ucla.edu
Postdoctoral Positions in Ion Channel Biology at UCLA
A postdoctoral position is available immediately to study
ion channel biogenesis, quality control, and trafficking.
Trafficking of ion channels in cardiac myocytes and lymphocytes
is of particular interest in this project. Methodology
will include cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology,
and electrophysiology. Prior experience in at least one
of these areas is strongly preferred.
A postdoctoral position is available immediately to study
the structural basis of voltage-dependent activation in
ion channels. Structural interactions between the voltage
sensor and pore domain will be identified using electrophysiological,
biochemical, optical, and molecular biological approaches.
Patch clamp experience strongly preferred.
Please forward CV and the names of three references to:
Diane M. Papazian, Ph.D., Professor and Executive Vice
Chair, Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of
Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los
Angeles CA 90095-1751. Telephone: (310) 206-7043; Fax:
(310) 206-5661; E-mail:papazian@mednet.ucla.edu and/or
visit their website at: http://www.uclaaccess.ucla.edu/cfm/accessfaculty.cfm?FacultyKey=96
OBERLIN COLLEGE
Replacement Faculty Position in Neuroscience
The Neuroscience Program at Oberlin College invites applicants
for a full-time, non-continuing faculty position in the
College of Arts and Sciences. Appointment to this position
will be for a term of one year, beginning July 1, 2003.
The incumbent will teach either two different upper-level
courses in neuroscience consistent with the candidate’s
interests and qualifications or alternatively the candidate
may teach one first year seminar course and one upper
level course for majors. In addition, the candidate will
develop and teach a laboratory course to accompany an
upper level course. He or she is also expected to teach
two sections of an introductory neuroscience laboratory.
Applicants may have a background in any area of neuroscience.
However individuals with expertise in neuroendocrinology,
behavioral neuroscience, neurophysiology, or cognitive
neuroscience are particularly encouraged to apply. He
or she will be expected to participate in all typical
faculty responsibilities, including advising student research
and participating in scholarly and/or creative work appropriate
to the position. This is an exceptional opportunity to
improve one’s teaching credentials at a premier
liberal arts college.
Among the qualifications required for appointment is
the Ph.D. degree (in hand or expected by the first semester
of academic year 2003). Candidates must demonstrate interest
and potential excellence in undergraduate teaching. Successful
teaching experience at the college level is desirable.
The Neuroscience Program at Oberlin College is one of
the oldest and largest programs of its type to award an
undergraduate degree in neuroscience. The Program’s
extensive labs and facilities are housed in the College’s
newly built science center. The Program emphasizes a broad
interdisciplinary approach and encourages students to
seek out research opportunities in both laboratory classes
and in independent research.
To be assured of consideration, letters of application,
including a curriculum vitae, graduate academic transcripts,
and at least three letters of reference, should be sent
to Dennison Smith, Director, Neuroscience Program, Oberlin
College, Oberlin, Ohio 44074, Fax number 440-775-8960.
Application materials will be considered until the position
is filled. Salary will depend on qualifications and experience.
Oberlin College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action
Employer with a strong institutional commitment to the
development of a climate that supports equality of opportunity
and respect of differences based on gender, ethnicity,
disability, and sexual orientation. In that spirit, we
are interested in receiving applications from individuals
who would contribute to the diversity of our faculty.
For more information please visit www.oberlin.edu/nsbp
EMPLOYMENT CANDIDATES
Hiroyuki Suzuki received a Bachelor of Science degree
in neuroscience from UCLA in December, 2001. Hiroyuki
would like to obtain a full-time research associate position
in biomedical research. Education and relevant course
work include: Cognitive Psychology; Neurogenetics; Basic/Cognitive
Neuroscience; Psychiatric Disorder; Neuroanatomy; Immunology;
Molecular Biology; and Biochemistry.
Hiroyuki’s full-time laboratory work in the Molecular
Biology Laboratory in the UCLA School of Medicine/Dermatology
includes: Isolation of human DNA from paraffinized tissue
sections; Synthesis of cDNA including RNA handling from
cultured cells; Plasmid preparation from bacteria; Recombinant
cloning, restriction digestion, and DNA ligation; Transfection;
PCR and primer design; Allele specific PCR; Agarose electrophoresis;
Immunofluorescence/ histochemistry; Immunoprecipitation;
Western blot; Cell culture of primary cells and cell lines;
Mouse handling (IP injection, gauage, euthanasia); Working
knowledge of flow cytometry, FACS, real-time PCR; Laboratory
maintenance and purchasing; Supervision of undergraduate
students.
Academic research experience in the Molecular Neurobiology
Laboratory, Winter 2001 includes: Familiarity to cDNA,
PCR, and DNA data bank in DNA sequence/analysis; Data
analysis of corpus callosum, visual field, and lexical
decision by MRI images; Utilized cell cultures, bacterial
plasmid, bacteriophage, and restriction enzymes; Knowledge
of oscilloscope in the analysis of reflection and receptive
field of crayfish; Practiced voltage clamp in oocyte K+/Na+
channel recording.
In the Biochemistry Laboratory , Winter 2000, experience
includes: Isolated Lactate Dehydrogenase by enzyme/protein
assays and characterized it; Operated spectrophotometer,
affinity chromatography, gel exclusion chromatography,
and SDS PAGE.
Postmortem Human Frozen Brain Tissue and Matched Cerebrospinal
Fluid (CSF) and Blood are Available for Scientists to
Search for Etiopathogeneses of Human Disease.
The National Neurological Research Specimen Bank and
the Multiple Sclerosis Human Neurospecimen Bank, located
at VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center, maintains a
collection of quick frozen and formalin fixed postmortem
human brain tissue and frozen cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
from patients with neurological diseases (including Alzheimer's
Disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, depressive disorder/suicide,
epilepsy, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's
Disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, schizophrenia,
stroke/CVA and other less common diseases). Full inventory
is available upon request. Diagnoses are documented by
clinical medical records and gross/microscopic neuropathology.
Special features of the Bank are as follows:
1). Serial digital images of coronal sections (7 mm thick
and obtained before quick freezing) are available for
selecting samples to be studied.
2). Microscopic neuropathology is available on each dissected
sample and the dissected sample's localization is sketched
on the gross coronal section image from which it came.
3). Plaques of demyelination are classified as active,
chronic active or inactive, and a shipment includes adjacent
normal appearing white and nearby gray matter from the
same case (they serve as a type of control).
4). Ice artifact is minimized and it does not interfere
with in situ hybridization or in situ PCR or immunocytochemistry.
5). Tissue samples have been used for harvesting enough
mRNA for microarray assay plates.
6). CSF cells and cell-free CSF are available pre- and
postmortem as is serum, plasma and buffy coats. They are
stored quick frozen (full inventory is available upon
request).
The Bank is supported by NIH (NINCDS/NIMH), the National
Multiple Sclerosis Society and Veterans Affairs West Los
Angeles Healthcare Center.
For further information on tissues/CSF available and
how to access them, contact:
Wallace
W. Tourtellotte, M.D., Ph.D.
Neurology Research (127A)
VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center
11301 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90073
(310) 268_4638; fax: (310) 268_4638
E-mail: wtourtel@ucla.edu
web site: www.loni.ucla.edu/~nnrsb/NNRSB
ALZHEIMER'S
DISEASE BRAIN TISSUE and CSF
The Neuropathology Laboratory at UCLA Medical Center
maintains a bank of frozen, formalin and paraformaldehyde-fixed
and paraffin-embedded postmortem human brain tissues and
frozen cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients who die
with Alzheimer's disease and other dementing and degenerative
illnesses (including progressive supranuclear palsy, Parkinson's
disease, fronto-temporal dementia), as well as control
materials removed in a similar fashion from patients who
are neurologically normal. Tissues are maintained as part
of the NIA-funded Neuropathology Core functions of the
UCLA Alzheimer's Disease Center. These tissues/fluids
are available as a resource to investigators in any discipline.
Pilot studies using the tissues/CSF to examine biomolecules
that are of known importance in animal models and suspected
significance in human neurodegenerative conditions are
particularly encouraged. Every attempt will be made to
provide research materials for worthwhile projects in
a timely fashion. For further information on tissues/CSF
available and how to access them, contact:
Dr.
Harry Vinters
Section of Neuropathology
UCLA Medical Center, CHS 18-170
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1732
Phone: 310-825-6191; Fax: 310-206-8290
E-mail: hvinters@mednet.ucla.edu
IMPORTANT
NOTE:
Neuroscience
News serves as the primary vehicle for disseminating
information to the UCLA neuroscience community. It is
published solely on the Brain Research Institute’s
web site http://www.bri.ucla.edu and distributed to the
BRI Calendar E-mail list. Please submit all information
to the BRI editorial office, E-mail lmaninger@mednet.ucla.edu,
or call extension 56055 or 55061.
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STORY