Casco
GROUP LEADER NAME (as it appears in publications): Víctor Hugo Casco (Ph.D. in Biological Sciences)
AFFILIATION: Full Professor Molecular and Cell Biology, School of Engineering (Bioengineering & Bioinformatics) National University of Entre Ríos. Argentina.
TEL:* (+54)(0343)4975100 ext. 120
FAX:* (+54)(0343)4975100 ext. 104/105
EMAIL:* vcasco@bioingenieria.edu.ar
GROUP NAME / RESEARCH INTEREST IN FEW WORDS:
Laboratory of Microscopy Applied to Cellular and Molecular Biology Studies (LAMAE)
SHORT SUMMARY OF RESEARCH INTEREST (MAX. 200 WORDS):
Our research group has traditionally worked with a type of native amphibian (Bufo arenarum) as an experimental model. Our research interests were focused in the expression patterns of cell adhesion molecules in developmental embryos and larvae. In our lab we are also involved in develop modern microscopy techniques such as digital deconvolution microscopy and electron microscopy.
Due to the difficulties to work with a not very known animal model, we are switching to a more common experimental model to carry out our experiments. The animal model chooses was the zebrafish (Danio rerio).
We have started to arrange the set up of our zebrafish aquarium; and we have started to study the neurogenesis process of retinal tissue across development stages. Our first aim is focused to study the Numb protein which has been postulated as a determinant of cell destiny through a process of asymmetric division, and its role in establishing cell polarity and the interactions with other proteins whit apical polarity like aPKC. We also are interested to establish if there is any relationship with some type of Catherin during that ontogenetic period.
GROUP MEMBERS (NAME, POSITION, E-MAIL):*
LAMAE Members
1. Dr. Ma. Fernanda Izaguirre (PhD): Director LAMAE and Associate Professor Cell and Molecular Biology
2. Dr. Víctor Hugo Casco (PhD), Full Professor Cell and Molecular Biology - LAMAE.
3. Dr. Javier Adur (PhD) Associate Professor – LAMAE and Non Ionizing Radiations
4. Bioing. Javier Diaz Zamboni: PhD. Student LAMAE and Associate Professor Computation II
5. Lic. Enrique Paravani (PhD student) LAMAE and Teacher Assistant Cell and Molecular Biology
6. Lic. Carolina Galetto: (PhD student) CONICET fellowship type II and Teacher Assistant Cell and Molecular Biology
7. Bioing. Silvio Laugero: Technician of Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopy (LAMAE)
8. Lic. Victoria Bessone: Teacher Assistant Cell and Molecular Biology
9. Lic. Ma. Gabriela Acosta (PhD student) CONICET fellowship type II
10. Lic. Mariana Bianchi: PhD student CONICET fellowship type I
11. Lic. Marcia Hassenahuer: Graduate Student Bioinformatics
FISH FACILITIES (TYPE OF FISH SYSTEM/TANKS, CAPACITY, ETC.)*
Our set up is located in a room destined for breeding and reproduction of zebrafish. This room has 3 x 4 square meters having an automatic photoperiod and temperature regulation system. Currently we have 3 tanks of 0.5 x 0.25 x 0.30 meters (volume 30 liters) with 15 fishes each one. These tanks have a water recirculation system through bag filters and regulating temperature systems of thermostats. The daily meal is brand food (Tetra) and two or three times per week lives food such as brine shrimp.
We are shortly planning to expand the numbers of tanks in order to have greater capacity for fishes breeding and reproduction.
FISH LINES KEPT IN STOCK:*
The fishes are from an aquarium shop from Rosario and we do not known the fish line.
OTHER EQUIPMENT RELATED TO ZEBRAFISH RESEARCH*
LAMAE is a small laboratory for cell and molecular biology. We are able to perform transmission and scanning electron microscopy and some cell and molecular techniques, such as RT-PCR, Western blot, immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization and immuno-electron microscopy.
Our main equipment consist of two transmission electron microscopes, one scanning electron microscope and a Fluorescence Digital Deconvolution Microscope for optical sectioning and 3D reconstruction trailer software (this system was developed in our laboratory). It is based on an Olympus BX50 upright microscope equipped with both an UV lamp for epi-fluorescence and a halogen lamp for transmitted light. The recording system consists of an Apogee CCD camera model AM4. We have developed the software (SUMDD) to control both, the camera and the stepping motor via parallel port, allowing image capture, focusing by keyboard, optical sectioning, 3D deconvolution and visualization.
LAB EXPERTISE AND TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES (RELATED TO ZEBRAFISH RESEARCH)*
The PhD student, Lic. Enrique Paravani have been trained to handling our Danio rerio facilities, it has participated in different practical training and theoretical courses conducted by Dr. Nora Calcaterra (IBR - CONICET) and Dr. Flavio Zolessi (Science Faculty, Republic University). He has acquired skills in fishes breeding and reproduction and now he is starting with their experiments for their doctoral studies.
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:*