Identification of Causative Mechanism(s) in the Pathology of Alzheimer's Disease

DATE: DECEMBER 2018
Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School | Neurology
Patricia Kelly, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Our lab routinely uses Part #80336, 10 µL Microliter Syringe Model 701 RN with a 26s gauge, 2 in, point style 2 Removable Needle and a 33 gauge Removable Needle. I was informed about Hamilton Neuros Syringes technology and we are keen to test these new syringes in our lab.

The main focus of our research is to identify mechanism(s) that are causative in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in mouse models of AD so that we can therapeutically target to slow the onset and/or development of the pathology of AD. We use multiphoton microscopy to examine cellular structure and function within the intact brain of mouse models of AD and we test whether candidate therapies can improve AD pathology in the brain of AD mouse models. My research focus is to determine whether an abundant type of glial cell in the brain, known as astrocytes, contribute to AD pathology. I routinely use a Hamilton 10 µL Microliter Syringe (701RN) for a consistent high quality and aseptic intracortical delivery of a Genetically Encoded Calcium Indicator (GECI) into an intact mouse brain prior to the aseptic surgical replacement of a small skull portion with a coverslip to gain optical access to the intact murine brain for multiphoton microscopy. The astrocytes within the mouse brain express the GECI and become highly fluorescent permitting the examination of the structure and function of astrocytes within the living mouse brain, using multiphoton microscopy. Indeed, the quality of the intracortical delivery of the GECI is critical to the overall quality of the experiment and thus the Neuros Syringe is of great interest as I wish to continue to strive towards improved quality of the methodology. Thus, the fine gauge needle in the Neuros Syringe may help improve research quality by reducing damage to the brain during injection and help us limit unnecessary discomfort to the animal during injection.

We are very aware of our responsibility to train the next generation of researchers in how to conduct high quality research in Alzheimer's disease. Thus we are committed to ensuring that our undergraduate and graduate students are trained in good laboratory procedures. Therefore, the Hamilton product grant would permit us to acquire Neuros Syringes to trial for improved quality in the intracortical delivery of Genetically Encoded Calcium Indicators (GECIs). Our Graduate and Undergraduate students would then benefit from training on intracortical injection of GECIs using Neuros Syringes.

We are very keen to try the shorter needle length in the Neuros Syringe.

We are committed to maintaining exceptional student training and thus the Hamilton product grant would help us continue to strive for excellence in research.