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Admission to this internship
program is by application only and is at the discretion of the individual
research scientists - space is limited. The program is open to all undergraduates
at Rutgers and NJIT. Specific course of skill prerequisites will vary
by instructor.
For more information, contact Connie
Sadaka at 973-353-1080 x 3294 |
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Research Opportunities: Joseph J. McArdle Research
Overview -
We are testing the hypothesis that receptor subunit changes play a role
in the maturation of synapses. As a model, we study the readily
accessible neuromuscular junction (NMJ). In neonatal mouse, the NMJ of
the unique Triangularis sterni muscle forms Hebbian type synapses. Thus,
we can study the interaction between neural inputs competing for a
postsynaptic target. Our hypothesis suggests that substition of the
mature for the immature nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AchR) is
essential to nerve terminal competition at the NMJ. This hypothesis is
based on the observation that the mature AchR mediates a calcium influx.
We have preliminary data suggesting that this calcium influx activates
nitric oxide synthase (NOS); NOS co-localizes with the AchR at the NMJ.
The NO produced subsequent to AchR activation diffuses to the nerve
terminal where it controls pathways regulating the function and
stability of competing nerve terminals. To test our hypothesis, we use
in vitro electrophysiological recording, electrochemical detection of
NO, as well as imaging of AchR with labeled toxins. We have developed
fluorescein Waglerin-1 as an exquisitely selective probe for the mature
form of the mouse AchR. These techniques are applied to developing wild
type mice as well as genetically modified mice which fail to produce the
mature AchR. We are in the process of evaluating nerve terminal function
and stability in these mice.
More Information -
Phone: (973) 972 - 4428 |
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