Super-resolution Imaging Sheds Light on Substance Use Disorders
Overview
Substance use disorders are associated with adaptive and maladaptive plasticity processes. Different aspects of substance use disorders such as intoxication, craving, or withdrawal are mediated by distinct molecular changes that manifest in a brain circuit-, cell-type, and subcellular domain-specific manner. Recent innovations in super-resolution imaging demonstrated that functionally relevant molecular plasticity mechanisms take place in a nanodomain-restricted manner. While super-resolution imaging setups are rapidly becoming available at most research sites across the United States, their exploitation to study the molecular underpinnings of substance use disorders remains limited. Therefore, to support the training of the substance use disorder research community to benefit from the super-resolution imaging revolution, the Center for Cannabis, Cannabinoids and Addiction will organize the STORM super-resolution microscopy course.
When is the Course?
The Fall STORM course will be held November 11 through November 22, 2024. There will be two 1-week sessions, each with four participants (a total of eight).
What to Expect
In a proven format of high-impact learning experiences, in this two-week course, participants will first gain insights into leading edge concepts of the fundamental importance of nanodomain-specific molecular investigations in the brain. They will also learn about the major challenges for nanoscale molecular imaging in brain samples and will become familiar with strategies to tackle conceptual and technical challenges. Next, the theoretical foundations of different types of super-resolution imaging will be explained for neuroscientists assuming no background in physics and engineering. Single-molecule localization microscopy approaches such as STORM will be studied in more detail. By using a pragmatic approach, the advantages and limitations of STORM microscopy will be evaluated to help the participants to design their own STORM experiments in substance use disorder research. Special focus will be devoted to correlated confocal and STORM microscopy that enables cell-type-specific nanoscale molecular imaging. A major part of the Spring STORM course will be devoted to hands-on learning experiences. The participants will become familiar with specimen preparation, immunolabeling protocols optimized for STORM microscopy, imaging buffer preparation, and essential control samples. Data acquisition will be performed on a combined N-STORM super-resolution/C2-confocal microscopy setup. A special section will help the participants to learn more about approaches to data analysis. Finally, state-of-the-art data visualization strategies will also be introduced. As the course wraps up, course and reading materials will be provided for participants and their feedback will be collected for future course development.
Questions?
Further questions on the course details should be addressed to Dr. István Katona.
Application Process
Deadline
All applications for the Fall 2024 STORM course are due by no later than October 14, 2024 at 5:00pm EST.
Important Information
This course is designed for neuroscientists who aim to tackle the molecular, cellular and circuitmechanisms of substance use disorders and are preferably at an early career stage.
Participants will generally need to cover their own travel expenses to Bloomington, including accommodation,and any necessary insurance. A scholarship will be available for individuals traditionally underrepresented in substance abuse research and with demonstrated need.
The course will be offered to no more than eight participants on a first come, first served basis.
Prior experience with immunolabeling and confocal microscopy is an advantage.
As a prerequisite, the participant needs to have access to a super-resolution imaging setup at their home institution (for example in a core facility).
Course application materials includes CV, research statement, and letter of reference.
How to Apply
Application
Acknowledgements
Disclaimer
Research and content found in this publication is supported by the National Institute On Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number P30DA056410. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.