Love at a Microscopic Scale: Heart in Brain Tissue

Pathka, Aarav

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/128146 Copy

Description

Title

Love at a Microscopic Scale: Heart in Brain Tissue

Author(s)

Pathka, Aarav

Issue Date

2025

Keyword(s)

heart in brain

Date of Ingest

2025-05-08T11:17:17-05:00

Abstract

Amidst the complex neural networks of the brain, a surprising symbol of “love” emerged—a heart-shaped structure revealed under the microscope. Following behavioral assessments to better understand the metabolic pathway in mice, we employed immunohistochemistry (IHC), a laboratory technique that uses antibodies tagged with fluorescent markers to target specific proteins. In this study, C-fos—a protein rapidly produced in active neurons—was chosen to identify neuronal activation. C-fos is an immediate early gene that is expressed in neurons when they have become active. This gene is triggered when a neuron fires, which occurs as calcium builds up inside the cell. The calcium buildup leads to a change in the membrane potential, generating an electrical signal that travels down the neuron, enabling communication between neighboring cells. By examining brain tissue under a confocal microscope, the labeled C-fos protein glows red when the laser illuminates the tissue, allowing us to create a high-resolution, three-dimensional image of the medial hypothalamus, a critical region for regulating homeostasis. Among the glowing neurons, the heart-shaped structure stood out—a symbol of the brain’s hidden beauty.

Type of Resource

• text
• still image

Language

eng

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2025 Aarav Pathka

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