Biochemical Characterization and Imaging of Arc: Insights into Neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s Development

Alzheimer’s Disease is characterized by extracellular Beta-Amyloid (βA) Plaques. Beta-Amyloid are produced by the sequential cleavage of amyloid precursor protein by Y-secretase. Arc, a ~50 kDa IEG protein, may regulate Y-secretase activity. For this study, Unilaminar Vesicles acted as Cell Membranes, as FCS studies were done to quantify Arc’s interactions with lipids. HEK cells were transfected with EGFP-Arc to identify …

Shining a Light on the Blind: Evolutionary Regression and Adaptive Progression in the Micro-vertebrate Ramphotyphlops braminus, a Model for Understanding Brain Organization and Complex Neurological Disorders

Many current efforts aim at understanding the depth of our nervous systems. However, complexity imposes impediments, while simpler systems can provide fundamentally important insight. The brahminy blindsnake (Ramphotyphlops braminus) is among Earth’s smallest vertebrates, and has a tiny central nervous system (CNS). This study produced a R. braminus brain atlas, assessed its eye architecture, and determined the effects of light …