Dr. Qian-Quan Sun, SBC Director, Professor
Department of Zoology and Physiology
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: 307-766-5602
Email: neuron@uwyo.edu
The SBC supports four interrelated research projects.
wtodd3@uwyo.edu | (307) 314-4207 | Biological Sciences 406
Aim 1. To examine the relationship between circadian dysfunction of aggression propensity and LMA rhythms to immunohistochemical markers of AD-related neuropathology in the central SCN clock, the SPZ, and their output and input pathways. In tissue from TAPP mice and double WT controls, I will use immunohistochemistry to assess AD neuropathology (a-beta and tau) in the SCN, the SPZ and its major output targets, the VMH and DMH, as well as in regions known to project to the SCN and SPZ. I will also examine cell loss in these brain areas and in RGCs that project to and entrain the SCN. I will use brain tissue and retinas from male mice in which I previously examined aggression and LMA rhythms, and I will add an equal number of additional female mice that will also undergo LMA recordings and aggression tests.
Aim 2. To determine whether chemogenetic activation of the SPZ output pathway, and the RHT input pathway, reduces increased aggression and circadian sleep-wake dysfunction associated with ADrelated neuropathology. Using neural injections of a nonconditional, excitatory chemogenetic viral vector into male and female TAPP mice, I will activate SPZ neurons and RGCs via peripheral injection of the chemogenetic ligand, or its vehicle, at a time of day at which I have shown these cells to normally be active. I will then measure the effects of this phase-dependent neuronal activation on aggression using a resident intruder paradigm, and separately on sleep-wake rhythms using encephalographic (EEG) and electromyographic (EMG) recordings.
Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy
kmruk@uwyo.edu | Health and Sciences Center |
Project Summary:
Approximately 290,000 Americans live with spinal cord injury (SCI) - a better understanding of the process of SCI and new therapeutic strategies are needed to tackle this significant problem. Regenerative species that can overcome the deleterious effects of SCI are a great resource to identify new therapeutic targets. The zebrafish shares many organizational, cellular and molecular pathways with mammals; however, regeneration and locomotor recovery occurs even after complete transection of the spinal cord. The Mruk lab’s long-term goal is to understand whether manipulation of endogenous electrical signals through either electrical stimulation or drug treatment will promote regeneration in otherwise regeneration-deficient cell types.
Assistant Professor, Zoology/Physiology
anelso74@uwyo.edu |Biological Sciences Bldg 200A |
Nelson Lab website: https://www.nelsonlabuwyoming.com
Discovering how genes, neural circuits, and sensory systems give rise to social relationships.
Dr. Qian-Quan Sun, SBC Director, Professor
Department of Zoology and Physiology
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: 307-766-5602
Email: neuron@uwyo.edu