Introduction to Invertebrate Neurophysiology Workshop

ADInstruments and Emory University, Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology Program will co-host a two day hands-on workshop for higher education life science instructors seeking to expand their curriculum reach in the neurosciences. This Introduction to Invertebrate Neurophysiology workshop will be based on the use of invertebrate model organisms including earthworm, cockroach, cricket and crayfish models to teach principles of electrophysiology.

The objective of this workshop is to provide teachers hands-on experience with student friendly invertebrate preparations that demonstrate basic principles of nervous system physiology, and can easily be incorporated into courses in your laboratory using ADInstruments PowerLab and LabChart data acquisition and data analysis systems.

Topics to be covered:

  • Basics of data acquisition and analysis for electrophysiology
  • Basics of invertebrate neuroanatomy
  • Overview of invertebrate sensory systems in the cockroach and cricket
  • Introduction to crayfish abdominal sensory-motor systems
  • Extracellular recording from a crayfish motor nerve
  • Crayfish stretch receptor: stimulus-response profile and sensory adaptation

Attendees will have access to an individual computer and hardware terminal to ensure a hands-on educational experience. Learning-by-doing alongside our experienced staff is the quickest method to master the PowerLab system. This course will leave you confident and ready to apply your new skills and knowledge to existing and future experimental protocols.