In-Person Summer Camp

Students will explore the anatomy and organization of the nervous system, focusing on the classification and characteristics of various neural cell types. They’ll learn about the fundamental electrical properties of neurons and how these enable brain-machine interfaces (BMI).  Hands-on activities, such as labeling sheep brain samples, will help students identify specific brain regions and understand the terminology used to describe brain directions and orientations.

Lab safety protocols and personal protective equipment will be introduced. Students will be taught how to use micropipettes and electronic balances. Device calibration and material transfer practices will be carried out as preparation for later molecular biology lab work.  

Students will learn the basics of fly genetics and the benefit of using Drosophila as a model system for neuroscience research.  Fly handling and genetic phenotype identification techniques will be taught. 

Students will complete the process of genotyping flies, from squishing to carrying out an isothermal DNA amplification reaction.  Then, they will run and analyze a gel. Students will also learn how to use genotyping to aid in the process of creating transgenic animals for specific research purposes.

Students will explore the use of optogenetic (light) and thermogenetic (temperature) stimulation to manipulate fly behavior/locomotion.  The students will run several behavior experiments and collect video recordings, which will be analyzed in later activities. 

Basic Python scientific packages for biomedical image and video processing and visualization will be introduced and explored during this module. Students will use videos that they collected during the fly behavior module for practice. Students will also learn how to utilize cutting edge software developed by the Cai lab.

Students will utilize AI software to analyze their fly behavior recordings.  They will also learn how quantify their results.

Students will learn the technique involved in dissecting both a larva and adult fly brain, intact. Lots of practice time will be provided to perfect this difficult skill! 

We’ll visit the North Campus Research Complex (NCRC), where the Cai lab is located, for an in-depth tour of our lab’s facilities, including the microscopy suite designed and built specifically for our lab.  Students will also have the chance to visit other investigator’s labs and learn about some of the institutes housed in NCRC.