Image of the Month 2012

May 2012 - Mouse Cortex Neuron

Image : Tariq Chohan, Cannabinoid Research Lab, Discipline of Pharmacology, The University of Sydney

A diolistically stained neuron from the mouse cortex visualised using a confocal microscope. This staining method involves propelling tungsten labelled with carbocyanine dye into brain tissue. This fluorescent dye is lipophilic and diffuses throughout the lipid membrane of the neuron.

April 2012 - Mild Activated Microglia

Image : Ping Hu, Retinal & Developmental Neurobiology Laboratory, Anatomy and Histology, The University of Sydney

Cultured neuron stem cell in day 7.

Mild activated microglia: Iba-1+ (red) microglia with GS lectin (green) expression, and DAPI (blue). Cultured neuron stem cell in day 7: Cultured NeuN+ (blue) and B III Tubulin+ (green) cells express IGFBP-3 (red).

March 2012 - Young Neuromuscular Junction

Image : Anson Cheng, Molecular Neuroscience, The University of Sydney

Colocalisation of Acetylcholine Receptors with Presynaptic Nerve Terminals in 2 month Mouse.

February 2012 - The moment of vesiculation

Image : Sharissa Latham, PhD Student, Vascular Immunology Unit, Pathology, The University of Sydney

This scanning electron micrograph taken with the Zeiss Ultra FESEM at 130 000 X magnification, captures the moment when a developing membrane microparticle is released from the surface of a human microvascular endothelial cell.

Increased levels of circulating endothelial microparticles are associated with various diseases including cerebral malaria, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, sepsis, etc. They are increasingly seen as valuable markers of both endothelial and vascular dysfunction.