Biology subjects

Edsinger, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Edsinger, E..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2018

SLC6A4 binding site and acute prosocial effects of (+/-)-3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) are evolutionarily conserved in Octopus bimaculoides.

ABSTRACTHuman and octopus lineages are separated by over 500 million years of evolution, and show divergent anatomical patterns of brain organization. Moreover, while humans exhibit highly complex social behaviors, octopuses are thought to be largely asocial and solitary. Despite these differences, growing evidence suggests that ancient neurotransmitter systems are shared across vertebrate and invertebrate species, and in many cases enable overlapping functions. Here we provide evidence that, as in humans, the atypical amphetamine derivative (+/-)-3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) enhances acute prosocial behaviors in Octopus bimaculoides. This finding is paralleled by the evolutionary conservation of the serotonin transporter (SERT, encoded by the Slc6A4 gene) binding site of MDMA in the O. bimaculoides genome. Taken together, these data provide evidence that the neural mechanisms subserving social behaviors exist in O. bimaculoides, and indicate that the role of serotonergic neurotransmission in regulating social behaviors is evolutionarily conserved.\n\nONE SENTENCE SUMMARYHere we provide evidence that the atypical amphetamine derivative (+/-)-3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) increases acute social approach behaviors in Octopus bimaculoides, a finding that is paralleled by the evolutionary conservation of the SLC6A4 binding site of MDMA.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2017

Hydrogel encapsulation of living organisms for long-term microscopy

Imaging living organisms at high spatial resolution requires effective and innocuous immobilization. Long-term imaging, across development or behavioral states, places further demands on sample mounting with minimal perturbation of the organism. Here we present a simple and inexpensive method for rapid encapsulation of small animals of any developmental stage within a photocrosslinked polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel, gently restricting movement within their confined spaces. Immobilized animals maintained a normal, uncompressed morphology in a hydrated environment and could be exposed to different aqueous chemicals. We focus in particular on the nematode C. elegans, an organism that is typically viewed with paralyzing reagents, nanobeads, adhesives, or microfluidic traps. The hydrogel is optically clear, non-autofluorescent, and nearly index-matched with water for use with light-sheet microscopy. We captured volumetric images of optogenetically-stimulated responses in multiple sensory neurons over 14 hours using a diSPIM light-sheet microscope, and immobilized worms were recoverable and viable after 24 hours encapsulation. We further imaged living pygmy squid hatchlings to demonstrate size scalability, characterized immobilization quality for various crosslinking parameters and identified paralytic-free conditions suitable for high-resolution single cell imaging. PEG hydrogel encapsulation enables continuous observation for hours of small living organisms, from yeast to zebrafish, and is compatible with multiple microscope mounting geometries.

bioengineering↗