Figure 1 ( left ) and 2 ( right ): Dual-color labeling of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis ( EAE ) tissue ( the mouse model of MS ). Neurons are labelled in green , with axons in the white matter and their bodies in the grey matter . Nuclei of immune cells in inflammatory EAE lesions are shown in magenta . Figure 1 ( left ) is a cross-section , figure 2 ( right ) is a magnified longitudinal section .
microscopy , a special type of fluorescence microscopy capable of resolving biological structures with nanometer resolution . This was previously only possible with electron microscopy . Our super-resolution microscope allows us to observe single molecules that may induce or affect axonal injury , but it requires sophisticated methods for protein labeling . We therefore exploit protein engineering tools , based on labeling genetic code expansions . The genetic code of host cells is expanded and altered in a way that it incorporates designed building blocks , so called non-canonical amino acids . These amino acids are very small , but almost identical to their naturally-occuring brothers , the canonical amino acids . Their special ‘ feature ’ is a chemical group that can be used for fluorescent labeling of proteins in living cells . In that way we get the smallest possible labeling tag which is crucial for super-resolution microscopy .
Why did you decide to come to Tübingen ?
The CIN offered me the opportunity to set up my own laboratory . Keeping in mind Tübingen ’ s scientific reputation , especially in the neuroscience field , it was an excellent opportunity for me . Furthermore , it is important to me that good students are attracted to the city as well such as Tübingen ’ s Neuroscience Graduate Training Centre . I also liked Tübingen as a city upon visiting and being home to the annual chocolate festival of course made Tübingen even more attractive !
Future perspective : What are your ideals for the future and what do you hope to achieve in Tübingen ?
In Tübingen , I can finally tackle some of the open questions from my PhD work . I made the observation that a small population of axons can sponta-
neously recover , while others degenerate . I am happy that I can approach this differential axon recovery from a molecular perspective and I hope to further solve the puzzle of axonal deand regeneration with insights from live super-resolution imaging .
Stefanie Schuster is a PhD candidate in the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research in the Clinical Neurogenetics lab of Prof . Dr . Ludger Schöls in Tübingen , Germany .
10 | NEUROMAG | November 2017
The Neuromag is excited to announce that we are now ranked as one of the Top 100 Neuroscience Blogs on the web ! Feedspot has added us to their list and we aim to climb all the way to number one !!! For that we need your help . If you are interested in writing an article or getting involved in the Neuromag then please send us an email at contact @ neuromag . net
A big thank you to all those who have already helped make the Neuromag what it is . This achievement belongs to all of us !