Ahmed Laboratory
Research
The goal of our laboratory is to study
the control system that matches retinal blood flow to the metabolic
needs of retinal neurons. To do this, we are developing
techniques to both measure blood flow in the retinal circulation of
anesthetized rats, and techniques to assess retinal metabolism.
The project offered via IRCBC would be to develop a technique to
measure the concentrations of vasoactive substances released from the
retina of anesthetized rats using a technique called
microdialysis. In this technique, a probe is built that consists
of a loop of tubing, made of a semipermeable material, through which a
dialysate fluid flows. Once the probe is placed in tissue of
interest, molecules dissolved in the extracellular fluid diffuse into
the probe. Upon removal of the probe, the dialysate fluid is
collected and analytical techniques are used to determine
concentrations of bioactive molecules.
During the course of this project, students will learn how to perform
experiments on live anesthetized rats, including learning to do surgery
and to maintain the health of the animal. Students will also
build prototypes of microdialysis probes and will develop the analysis
technique, potentially using HPLC or other tools. Results of this
project will be used as the basis of a research proposal to NIH to
continue the project.
