Current computational models for traumatic brain injury are limited by a lack of understanding of the changes in neuronal function following repeated strain, highlighting the need for large datasets characterizing neuronal response to stretch. To provide a platform capable of gathering these datasets, an apparatus to strain embedded neuronal samples and monitor the subsequent neural response optogenetically was developed. The apparatus enables loading and immobilization of live Caenorhabditis elegans specimen, delivers stretch stimulus to the embedded animals, and provides sufficient image resolution to analyze neuronal calcium activity fluorescently both pre- and post-stretch.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Petit, Tristan Oliver
• Duncan, Benjamin Hatcher
• Noonan, Alexander R
• Maalouf, Jacob Roy

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042717-032925

Advisor

• Ji, Songbai
• Albrecht, Dirk

Year

• 2017

Date created

• 2017-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biomedical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright