Students study a single model system, the enteric nervous system of the guinea pig, in order to learn how to address a research problem at multiple levels. Techniques utilized include: (1) bioassays to determine the effects of neurochemicals, (2) immunohistochemical localization of endogenous neurochemicals, and (3) determination of the distribution of neurochemical receptor binding sites. Equipment includes a tissue bath with an interface system for computerized data capture of bioassay data; and epifluorescent microscopes (equipped with a brightfield cube and a darkfield condenser) for localization of neuropeptides. Students design and perform an original research project and present their results in the form of a scientific manuscript.
