​Calcium Imaging Lab

Located on level -1 in the School of Medicine, the Calcium Imaging Lab is equipped with specialized tools for investigating the cellular and molecular underpinnings of sensory nerve function as they relate to pain processing. Central to the lab is an advanced inverted microscope with fluorescent attachments, optimized for single-cell calcium imaging, a technique vital in studying calcium signaling in sensory neurons. Since calcium ions play a crucial role in nerve excitation and neurotransmitter release, calcium imaging allows researchers to observe real-time changes in intracellular calcium levels. This insight is fundamental for understanding how sensory neurons respond to stimuli, including noxious signals, and how they contribute to pain perception. Additionally, the lab is equipped with a precise perfusion system for controlled substance application, enabling detailed analysis of receptor function and drug effects on pain pathways. An ELISA reader is also available, supporting biochemical assays that complement imaging studies by quantifying pain-related biomarkers.

Animal Behavioral Testing Room

This facility, located in the Animal House at the Hamdi Mango Center for Scientific Research, is specifically designed for investigating the mechanisms of pain processing and the efficacy of analgesic interventions. The room is equipped with advanced behavioral testing tools essential for studying pain response in animal models:

1- Weight-Bearing Capacitance Tester: This device assesses weight distribution in limbs, a sensitive measure of pain in conditions like arthritis or neuropathic pain. By evaluating the animal’s natural weight-bearing behavior, researchers can infer pain levels and gauge the effectiveness of analgesic treatments.

2- Von Frey Filaments: Used for mechanical sensitivity testing, these filaments help determine pain thresholds and responses to tactile stimuli, providing insight into pain hypersensitivity—a key feature of many chronic pain states.

3- Open-Field Locomotor System: This system tracks general locomotor activity, which can be altered in pain states. By analyzing movement patterns, scientists can detect changes in behavior due to pain or drug effects, offering indirect measures of analgesic efficacy.

4- Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD): This specialized tool is used to assess orofacial pain, allowing for precise measurement of pain responses in the head and face region—important for understanding conditions like trigeminal neuralgia and for testing targeted analgesics.

5- Hot Plate Analgesia Meter: The hot plate test measures response latency to a thermal stimulus, commonly used to evaluate acute pain sensitivity and the analgesic potential of substances.

The room also includes a dissecting microscope, supporting anatomical and histological analyses post-testing, to further understand cellular changes in pain-affected tissues. Together, these resources create a comprehensive setup for exploring pain processing mechanisms and testing novel analgesics, making the Animal Behavioral Testing Room invaluable for translational pain research.