This week started with a visit from our fellow “neurovascular coupling friends” all the way from Sheffield. To welcome our visitors to Brighton after their long train journey, we began with a few drinks and some pizza. After all what could be more welcoming than chatting pericytes in the pub?!
After everyone had become well-acquainted, we decided to head back to our various homes/hotels for the night, ready to share our research with a series of presentations the next morning. The research showcase started with two talks from Sussex (Catherine Hall) lab by Kira Shaw (postdoc) and Orla Bonnar (PhD student). Kira talked about establishing two photon imaging to measure neurovascular coupling in hippocampus, and Orla talked about using two photon imaging and haemoglobin spectroscopy to measure neurovascular coupling in visual cortex of APOE4/4 and APOE3/3 subjects.
Next up, it was Sheffield’s turn. First, Osman Shabir (Jason Berwick’s PhD student) gave a very interesting talk about his plans to investigate neurovascular coupling in models of atherosclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. Then it was time for Llywelyn Lee (Clare Howarth’s PhD student) to take the floor. Llywelyn presented his exciting data about the contribution of NOS and SOM interneurons to neurovascular coupling in somatosensory cortex.
After lots of interesting scientific discussion, and talk of future experimental plans, we gave our visitors a tour of the University and its facilities. Following a hearty lunch at the union, the afternoon involved a two photon imaging session to look at neuronal calcium and blood vessels in CA1 hippocampus.
Feeling rather tired after an action-packed day, we ended the visit with a walk along Brighton seafront to watch the sun set with a warm cuppa. Thanks for visiting guys! Hopefully see you in Sheffield next time!
