In the lab of Department of Neuroscience Cell Biology & Physiology associate professor David R. Ladle, Ph.D., students study the mechanisms behind lower-limbed movement as a result of changes in neuronal circuitry during development in mouse spinal cords. In order to better understand the goal, students want to look at the spatial organization and connectivity of neuronal groups in the spinal cord over time and relate it to changes in muscle connectivity patterns.
Biological Sciences undergraduate program gratudate (2016) Taylor Floyd (pictured above) studies how a calcium binding protein called calbindin organizes neurons into specific clustered groups throughout the spinal cord. Calbindin positive neurons exhibit many characteristics and she is looking at their relationships with primary sensory afferents from leg muscles.
Tennessee State student Courtney Newman along with Wright State’s Dr. Ladle prepares samples of sensory neurons for imaging. They are looking at the size differences between different types of neurons.
