Calcium is recognized as a major intracellular modulator of metabolic functions in all cells and important in developmental and repair processes of neuronal cells. A major requirement for investigation of the role of calcium in these situations is the ability to monitor changes in intracellular calcium over the several days to weeks required for the repair and growth process. This project is designed to develop the methods to optically record calcium fluorescence for periods of up to 2 weeks, simultaneously monitoring cellular electrical properties. These studies will be followed up with ultrastructural studies to determine the intactness of the cell flowing long term fluorescent dye treatment and electrophysiological studies. This project has the potential for opening new methods for direct monitoring of long term processes in cells and can be immediately used as probes for various processes are developed.
