http://www.syndicatemizzou.org Thu, 24 May 2012 10:37:23 GMT en-us 40 Center for eResearch Connecting you with the University of Missouri’s innovative research and creative activity http://www.syndicatemizzou.org/images/logo.png 384 80 http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/prather/ipod/Prather02.m4v Education http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/prather/ipod/Prather02.m4v Prather talks about his work with genetic modification. The modified swine are marked by a green florescent glow on their snouts. Such modifications on the pigs could positively impact agriculture and medicine. 3 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:24:19 GMT http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/narfstrom/ipod/Narfstrom01.m4v Education http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/narfstrom/ipod/Narfstrom01.m4v The human eye is a very complex organ. Narfström describes its structure and explains why the retina is the most important part of the eye. 3 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:16:15 GMT http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/narfstrom/ipod/Narfstrom02.m4v Education http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/narfstrom/ipod/Narfstrom02.m4v Narfström is interested in the hereditary blindness that originates in human photoreceptor cells. She studies dogs and cats that contract blinding conditions similar to those found in human beings. 3 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:15:54 GMT http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/narfstrom/ipod/Narfstrom03.m4v Education http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/narfstrom/ipod/Narfstrom03.m4v Because it is not possible to ask cats and dogs about the severity of their blindness, Narfström describes other ways to assess an animal’s vision, including behavioral studies. 3 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:15:32 GMT http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/narfstrom/ipod/Narfstrom06.m4v Education http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/narfstrom/ipod/Narfstrom06.m4v Another treatment involves inserting a small microchip to replace the dead photoreceptors and get the electrical juices of the eye flowing. This device, known as an Artificial Silicon Retina (ASR), is conceptually similar to a bionic eye. The ASR was designed more than 15 years ago to enhance human vision. Narfström hopes that her research will improve the chip. 3 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:14:44 GMT http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/narfstrom/ipod/Narfstrom07.m4v Education http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/narfstrom/ipod/Narfstrom07.m4v Genetic transfer can be used to replace dead photoreceptor cells. Narfström employs this method to correct protein defects in the eyes. The procedure involves injecting a construct - a vehicle that brings the protein the correct DNA - into the retina cell. The construct is then transported into the nucleus, where it is translated to make the correct protein. 3 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:14:20 GMT