The team, from left to right, Victoria Ko, Emma Alvarez, David Umbertus, Nick Chu, Dr. Anastassov, Dr. Hayzelden (on the screen), Sebastian Gomez
We were exited to host a team of graduate and undergraduate students for an intense summer research workshop in the lab this July. Dr. Anastassov headed the “Synaptic Structure” team on a project titled “Synaptic ribbon structure in retinal cells”. We used SEM imaging with STEM detection to examine the ultrastructure of synaptic ribbons in rod photoreceptors and quantify synaptic vesicle characteristics during light-and dark-adaptation. This was the first time that our Carl Zeiss Ultra 55 Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) was been used in this imaging mode and we are immensely thankful to Dr. Clive Hayzelden for all the expert help and support! Team “Synaptic Structure” members: Nick Chu (peer mentor), Emma Alvarez (grad student, Anastassov Lab), Sebastian Gomez (grad student, Chu Lab), Victoria Ko (undergrad), David Umbertus (grad student, Anastassov Lab).
Remote imaging on the SEM
Synaptic ribbon with docked vesicles
More remote imaging under the expert guidance of Dr. Hayzelden
SEM on remote operation
Learning how to make glass knives and section on the ultramicrotome
More ribbons and vesicles