Techniques

The Day Lab uses a broad range of technical approaches to answer questions about the molecular and genetic mechanisms that regulate neuronal function and animal behavior.

Molecular genetics

To examine the individual genes, transcripts, and proteins that regulate neuronal function, we employ molecular biology approaches such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and CRISPR-dCas9 epigenetic editing technology, molecular cloning, RT-qPCR, gel electrophoresis, western blotting, whole-genome RNA and DNA sequencing, ATAC-seq, chromatin immunoprecipitation, methylated DNA capture/immunoprecipitation, bisulfite sequencing, single-nucleus RNA-seq, single nucleus ATAC-seq, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays.

in vitro neurobiology

To examine how neurons respond to environmental manipulations and study how genetic and epigenetic mechanisms alter neuronal function, we employ the molecular tools described above in rodent and human-derived neuronal culture systems. We merge this approach with basic pharmacology, viral manipulations, in vitro multi-electrode array neurophysiological recordings, single-molecule RNA FISH, immunohistochemistry, miscroscopy (epifluorescence and confocal), and single-nucleus RNA-seq.

systems neuroscience

To examine how molecular and genetic mechanisms regulate the function of intact brain circuits, we combine the approaches described above with in vivo tools including freely moving single-unit electrophysiology, ex vivo slice electrophysiology, optogenetics, stereotaxic surgery, pharmacology, behavioral assays, associative learning tasks, and intravenous drug self-administration approaches.