| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R19854/01 |
| Title: |
Instrumentation For Magnetophysiology: a Novel Technique For the Neurosciences Based On High Tc Squids |
| Principal Investigator: |
Tarte, Dr EJ |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Materials Science & Metallurgy |
| Organisation: |
University of Cambridge |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
13 November 2001 |
Ends: |
12 February 2005 |
Value (£): |
264,434
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Biomedical neuroscience |
Magnetism/Magnetic Phenomena |
| Med.Instrument.Device& Equip. |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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16 Nov 2000
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Physics Prioritisation Panel - November 2000
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Deferred
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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A high temperature superconductor (HTS) based SQUID instrument will be designed for simultaneous electrophysiological and magnetophysiological studies. The instrument will monitor the magnetic field corresponding to the postsynaptic current flow evoked by electrical stimulation of a well characterised input to a group of mammalian central neurones and allow simultaneous electrical recordings to be made from single postsynaptic cells. This will require new designs of HTS SQUID sensors, optimised for high sensitivity but small size, due to the non-uniformity of the expected biomagnetic field distribution. However modelling suggests that existing devices would achieve signal to noise ratios of 3 for the projection of the Suprachiasmatic to the Supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, which contains a relatively small population of cells. This model system has been chosen to demonstrate the capabilities of the new technique because it will allow the changes in cellular physiology underlying the postsynaptic events to be determined using different neurotransmitter antagonists and chemical antagonists of intracellular mechanisms. Gonadal steroids and other hormones such as melatonin which modify glutamatergic transmission in the region will also be tested. The key element will be the capacity to monitor current flow across the membrane of groups of, rather than single, nerve cells and to do so non-invasively.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cam.ac.uk |