Investigating Astrocyte-Dopamine Interactions in Freely Moving Mice

Project Title

Investigating Astrocyte-Dopamine Interactions in Freely Moving Mice

Faculty Mentor(s)

Project Description

The striatum, a deep brain nucleus, is involved in regulating behavioral output. To do this, the striatum receives dopamine inputs that sculpt future behaviors. In addition to neurons, the striatum is enriched with astrocytes, a glial cell of the central nervous system, which expresses dopamine receptors. It is thought that astrocyte signaling changes due to dopamine. Through this project, we first aim to characterize viral targeting of striatal astrocytes. Next, we aim to assess the role of astrocytic signaling and dopamine during locomotion in the striatum. We will use fiber photometry which measures the fluorescence of genetically encoded biosensors. We plan to use two viruses, one which is a dopamine sensor and another which targets astrocytic calcium waves in order to simultaneously measure dopaminergic and astrocytic activity in the striatum in freely moving mice.

Why is your research important?

Through this study, we will learn more about how astrocytes may modulate behavior related to learning and reward. Additionally, we hope more knowledge about astrocytes and dopamine will aid in further understanding of disease mechanisms related to dopaminergic signaling like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Parkinson’s Disease.

What does the process of doing your research look like?

My research process looks very different depending on what stage I am in. At the beginning of the project, I read a lot about what science exists on the topics I am researching, and learned a lot about dopamine and astrocytes. I also stain and image tissue to confirm where I have injected the virus in the brain. I am using a technique called fiber photometry where we aim to measure dopamine signaling and calcium signaling of astrocytes simultaneously by measuring the fluorescence of biosensors. I will monitor mice’s locomotion, while also recording signals from the biosensors using the fiber photometry system.

In what ways have you showcased your research thus far?

I have presented this project at the mGluRs conference at Oberlin this year.

How did you get involved in research? What drove you to seek out research experiences in college?

Heading into college, I knew that I was already interested in pursuing research because I had a few past experiences with research. During my first year, I was interested in being involved in microscopy. One of my friends introduced me to a member of the Howard Lab at the Oberlin College Research Symposium who had conducted microscopy. I was interested in his work, and later reached out to Professor Howard expressing interest in the lab.

What is your favorite aspect of the research process?

My favorite aspect of the research process is running experiments. In the Howard Lab, this usually looks like running mouse behavioral tasks or conducting immunohistochemistry! I also love imaging!

How has working with your mentor impacted the development of your research project? How has it impacted you as a researcher?

While observing an experiment in lab, I was chatting with my mentor about the uses of fiber photometry. I learned that fiber photometry can be used to measure activity of different neurotransmitters, and even the activity of a cell type called astrocytes. After this conversation, I became interested in astrocytes and their signaling, which led to my research project. My mentor has supported me through developing two different projects. This has strengthened my skills as a researcher, especially in literature review, experimental design, and collaborating with my peers to work on projects.

What advice would you give to a younger student wanting to get involved in research in your field?

I would tell younger students to learn more from their professors about their research! I would also tell younger students to reach out to older students in research to learn more about the variety of research opportunities that exist on campus.