Summer Research Opportunity in Neuroendocrinology:
Woller Laboratory

What do we study (and what is neuroendocrinology)?

The field of neuroendocrinology deals with the study of communication between the brain and endocrine systems. Both are critical communication systems in complex organisms. Research in my laboratory has focused on questions relating to how nerve cells (neurons) talk to each other. The hypothalamic nerve cells I am interested in produce a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and release it in distinct pulses that ultimately controls reproduction. Pulsatile release of GnRH is essential for biological function of the anterior pituitary and gonads. How the GnRH neurons coordinate their release events to elicit pulses is unknown, and the central focus of research in my laboratory. My laboratory uses both in vivo (whole animal methods) and in vitro (cell culture) methods to investigate the mechanisms coordinating pulsatile GnRH release from the GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus. This approach has worked well as a platform for undergraduate research students to work on independent projects that relate directly to the central questions of my laboratory.

What would a typical week working in the Woller Research Laboratory be like?

Since most of the experiments take longer than 8 hours, I anticipate scheduling work on 3-4 days per week, and working longer days (10-12 hours/day). In addition, 1 day/week working at the library on background literature and development of proposals would fill in the workweek. With a research team consisting of 3-4 participants, the work can be distributed and the time at the bench for each individual will be flexible from week to week. A typical experiment will begin at 8am with 45 minutes of preparation (preparation for sacrifice of rats, make fresh culture media, prepare for dissection of brain tissue), cell culture would run for 10-12 hours (largely automated, with attention by experimenter necessary every hour or so), samples collected, labeled and frozen, and at completion, equipment maintenance and sample storage in -80C freezer. I anticipate 8 weeks of intense experimentation 2-3 days/week. Three weeks will also require measurement of hormone concentration in samples. Over the course of the summer, I anticipate collecting 4000 samples (each measured in duplicate), requiring 8000 samples measured by radioimmunoassay. Assays require 1 long day of work (Day 1), with a total of 30 hours of labor/day (again spread out over 3-4 participants plus me!), and daily attention requiring 2 hours of work for Day 2 and Day 3. Day 4 requires 8-10 hours of work, primarily by me. My philosophy in running a laboratory is to allow freedom to pursue ideas, encourage teamwork to reduce the workload of all team members, and expect participation to complete the goals of the team and personal goals of team members.

What are some likely topics of study during the summer of 2005?

Current projects in the laboratory include investigating how GnRH or its metabolites might play a role in the autoregulation of pulsatile GnRH release using our perifusion culture system to address the role of specific GnRH metabolites synthesized by a collaborator (Dr. Johnny Wu, Uniformed Services University). This project is central to a funded NSF RUI grant. My laboratory is also developing an extensive in vivo and in vitro database that addresses the mechanism(s) of social control of reproductive function in the common marmoset. This work is in collaboration with Dr. Dave Abbott, Wisconsin Primate Research Center. We are actively pursuing NIH funding for this study and plan to establish a small marmoset colony at UW-Whitewater as part of the NIH grant when funded. We have already collected extensive preliminary data looking at the brain and pituitary processing of the social signals used by this fascinating animal model. The common marmoset lives in extended family groups, with only the dominant female undergoing ovulatory reproductive cycles. Other adult females cycle, but do not ovulate. Prior researchers have not revealed a mechanism for reproductive inhibition in marmosets. Our approach using both in vivo and in vitro methods is providing a unique view into this interesting question of reproductive control. Last summer my lab developed a unique research model, tissue culture of brook trout brain tissue. This involved going fishing for native brook trout in the field and addressing a number of questions of how fish brains release GnRH to control reproduction. This work will be pursued this summer as well.

What specific skills and knowledge will I take from this experience?

The methods used in my laboratory include animal care, small animal surgery, experimental design, cell/tissue culture, radioimmunoassay, and data analysis. Animal care will include feeding, monitoring reproductive cycles, cage cleaning, and monitoring overall health of animals. Surgery will primarily involve dissection of brain tissues from rats for use in culture, but may include surgical castration of rats to remove steroid influence on brain tissues. Cell and tissue culture methods will be taught in depth, and include media preparation, basic culture methods, aseptic technique, and perifusion methods. Radioimmunoassay is a method using radioactive molecules to allow measurement of extremely small amounts of specific molecules. Safety is emphasized in my laboratory, and the isotopes used are easy to handle safely. The method employed allows us to measure concentrations of the hormone GnRH in pg/ml (0.000000000001grams/ml). Data analysis will include data collection, spreadsheet management, basic statistical analysis and development of presentation graphics.

Research Papers