Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Date The Experiment 10 Axon Transport When possible we study neurons in a dish, where the DNA that makes a protein light up can be injected with a very fine needle using a microinjector machine (see image to the right). However, we also need to understand processes, like ageing and disease, that only happen in live animals. We can do this by inserting the DNA into the genome of mice (which we then call transgenic mice). These mice are completely healthy and animal work is regulated to ensure it is ethically justified, carried out by highly trained staff and fully recorded. In this way, we learn in great detail a lot about processes that keep our own nerves healthy, and why these sometimes fail. Microinjector Our researchers want to understand how we can track molecules and how these molecules are transported. Why not watch our videos or ask one of the scientists to show you how axon transport occurs? Try to answer these research questions: Questions ? 1. Which molecules are transported in axons? 2. How are molecules transported? (can you draw it?) DID YOU KNOW? The human brain has approximately 100 billion neurons. Neurons are the oldest and longest cells in your body. Axon Images These images show a swollen axon (in green) next to an amyloid plaque (red). Amyloid plaques are one of the telltale signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Inside these swellings you can see a build up of axonal transport cargoes such as mitochondria (blue). The experiment on the next page explains this process further. TIP Red = Amyloid plaque Green = Axons 3. What can happen if molecules in axons are not transported properly? Performed By Approved By michael-coleman O www.babraham.ac.uk/our-research/signalling/ USE ONL Y IC I A L U S E Website AL FF Signed CI O Babraham Institute FI Axonal Transport is a process where nerve cells (neurons) transport what they need to survive. We can study axonal transport using a microscope, which you can find out about in the Imaging Cells experiment (page 6-7). First we need to make a molecule light up (fluoresce), so we can track and measure its movement among thousands of other molecules, as well as film them to make movies! Scientists at the Babraham Institute study how axons transport molecules and which molecular events can cause loss of axons. We want to avoid losing axons since they’re so important for how nerve cells communicate! ONLY OF Axons are like wires that carry electrical signals between cells in our brains, spinal cords and nerves. We need them for movement, vision, hearing, thinking, memory, and for controlling lots of involuntary functions, like breathing and controlling heart rate. During normal ageing, we lose many axons and this loss is influenced by our genes and the lifestyle we lead. This is why ageing is the biggest single risk factor for many neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Motor Neuron disease. SE The Science This research station describes a biological process known as axonal transport studied by some researchers at the Babraham Institute. Axonal transport is essential for axon survival, just like transport along motorways and railway lines is essential for our country to function and prosper. There are many reasons why Axonal (or molecular) transport can fail, just as there can be many reasons why a train might not run. U Title Page No FF Y O I CI AL NL LAB 4