Bentley’s was moderately full when we arrived eager to eat, to discuss Dr. Rosi’s work as a research associate in Neural Systems, Memory & Aging, and to share what we were currently working on in our research labs. The food was ordered and with the help of our hostess, Dawn Barnes, UBRPer in Dr. Carol Barnes’ lab, Neural Systems, Memory & Aging the first few awkward moments were smoothed out and our thoughts started to flow. Sadly, however this was not one of Dr. Rosi’s best days, she had just had dental surgery and was still in some pain. But regardless of her state, she gladly explained her project to the group.

Dr. Rosi’s previous work in Dr. Gary Wenk’s lab, Neural Systems, Memory & Aging involved using drugs to reduce the inflammation that occurs with Alzheimer’s disease. Her current project however, explores immediate-early gene activation, the gene Arc in particular, in cells of the hippocampus and cortex in an induced Alzheimer’s-like state of brain inflammation. Using the florescence-imaging techniques of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, Dr. Rosi is able to determine the percentage of Arc gene activation in normal animal brain tissue and in the Alzheimer’s animal model in order to see the difference in cell activation between healthy and inflamed animals.

We all listened attentively while eating the last of our sandwiches, asking many questions in order to get a fuller understanding. After an hour of scientific discussion, we soon realized we should head back to work and parted ways.

Dalia Mikhael, UBRPer in Dr. Carol Barnes’ lab, Neural Systems, Memory & Aging