Exploring the diverse tools and technologies used to study synaptic processes, The Dynamic Synapse: Molecular Methods in Ionotropic Receptor Biology delineates techniques, methods, and conceptual advances for studying neurotransmitter receptors and other synaptic proteins. It describes a broad range of molecular, biochemical, imaging, and electrophysiological approaches for studying the biology of synapses. Specific topics include the use of proteomics to study synaptic protein complexes, the development of phosphorylation state specific antibodies, post-genomic tools applied to the study of synapses and RNA interference in neurons. In addition, several chapters focus on methods for gene and protein delivery into neuronal tissue. The use of biochemical, electrophysiological and optical tagging techniques to study the movement and membrane trafficking of neurotransmitter receptors in the membrane of live nerve cells are also discussed. To complement these approaches, the application of approaches for achieving long-term alterations in the genetic complement of neurons in vivo using viral vectors or homologous recombination of ES cells are also described.
