Characterization of Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Conductances in Layer 5 Neocortical Pyramidal Neurons from Rats

Neuronal voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are involved in electrical signalling and in converting these signals into cytoplasmic calcium changes. One important function of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels is generating regenerative dendritic Ca2+ spikes. However, the Ca2+ dependent mechanisms used to create these spikes are only partially understood. To start investigating this mechanism, we set out to kinetically and pharmacologically identify the sub-types of somatic voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in pyramidal neurons from layer 5 of rat somatosensory cortex, using the nucleated configuration of the patch-clamp technique. The activation kinetics of the total Ba2+ current revealed conductance activation only at medium and high voltages suggesting that T-type calcium channels were not present in the patches. Steady-state inactivation protocols in combination with pharmacology revealed the expression of R-type channels. Furthermore, pharmacological experiments identified 5 voltage-gated Ca2+ channel sub-types – L-, N-, R- and P/Q-type. Finally, the activation of the Ca2+ conductances was examined using physiologically derived voltage-clamp protocols including a calcium spike protocol and a mock back-propagating action potential (mBPAP) protocol. These experiments enable us to suggest the possible contribution of the five Ca2+ channel sub-types to Ca2+ current flow during activation under physiological conditions

Recirculator SALO project in NSC KIPT

In NSC KIPT the electron recirculator project on energy up to 730 MeV is developing. The accelerator is designed first of all as a facility for basic research in the field of a nuclear physics. Superconducting accelerating structure TESLA on frequency of 1.3 GHz, developed in DESY, is used for a speed-up of electrons. Isochronous and achromatic system of injection and magneto-optical system recirculator arcs allow to gain good beam parameters on an exit of the accelerator. Channels of an extraction of particles on experimental stations are presented. Opportunities for use of recirculator beams for applied research are considered