2007 Med Associates Short Courses in Neuroscience Launches Successfully
Our first workshop in our summer Short Courses in Neuroscience series was a great success. Measuring the Acoustic Startle Reflex Response in Rats and Mice: PPI and FPS was held from June 20-22, 2007. This course brought together researchers from varied backgrounds and enabled them to gain a deeper understanding of how to design protocols for basic startle studies, as well as PPI and FPS. Hands-on exercises utilized rats and mice to demonstrate intensity functions, fear conditioning, pre-pulse inhibition, and extinction. The workshop was lead by Drs. William Falls, Edward Meloni, and Ramona Rodriguez. The expertise of the course faculty made for an exciting and successful event. Thank you to all who participated.
Upcoming Short Courses in Neuroscience Schedule
Learning and Memory and Classical Fear Conditioning – The Freeze Response
Course Dates – July 12-13, 2007
Cost – $350, scholarships are available to attendees from academic institutions
This workshop will be taught by Dr. Stephan Anagnostaras from the University of California at San Diego who has a strong background in murine fear conditioning. Lectures will emphasize key points in the history, neurobiology, and psychology of classical Pavlovian Fear Conditioning and the use of Freezing as a dependent measure to quantify fear. Laboratory exercises will enable students to gain hands-on experience with equipment, including calibration, for automated freeze scoring. Laboratory exercises will utilize the Med Associates Video Fear Conditioning system featuring Near-Infrared Illumination. Hands-on labs will include the use of both rats and mice. Learn valuable validation techniques to ensure reliable and accurate freeze scores when working with automated systems. Don't miss the opening dinner reception on July 12 at The Ice House Restaurant in Burlington, VT.
Introduction to the Novel K-Limbic Software System for Behavioral Experimentation Control
Course Date – July 24, 2007
Cost – FREE!
This course is a free workshop developed to expose interested scientists to a new software product, K-Limbic, available to control behavioral research experiments using the classic Med Associates interface system. K-Limbic software is an alternative to MED-PC ®, and it requires no programming on the part of the user. This workshop will be conducted by the developer of this innovative software product, Dave Fuller. Come see if K-Limbic is right for your lab.
Running Basic MED-PC Programs: An Introduction to MEDLAB® 8
Course Date – July 25, 2007
Cost – FREE!
This course is a free workshop geared to introduce the novice MED PC user, or potential user, to running basic behavioral test protocols using our powerful and flexible MED PC Research Control and Data Acquisition software. Software and equipment installation will be covered. This course will be taught by Dr. Steve Dworkin from Jacksonville State University.
An Introduction to Behavioral Research Protocol Programming:
Getting Started with MED PC
Course Date – July 26, 2007
Cost – $250
Learn the basics of writing MED State Notation programs to control your behavioral experiments. Instruction will be provided by following the exercises in the MED PC Programmer’s Guide. If you already have worked on your own MED State Notation programs, be prepared to bring examples of them, or bring the details of your behavioral experiments. This will allow you to practice using your own protocols and procedures. This course will be taught by Dr. Steve Dworkin from Jacksonville State University.
An Introduction to Self-Administration
Course Date – July 27, 2007
Cost – $250
Gain a basic understanding of the field of drug self-administration as a research tool to study drugs of abuse and mechanisms of learning. This course will present theoretical concepts and will also provide a technical overview of the laboratory equipment necessary to perform self-administration studies. The course will be taught by Dr. Steve Dworkin from Jacksonville State University, an expert in rodent self-administration.
Med Associates Announces New Business Alliance Partner: Strategic Applications, Inc., SAI
Med Associates is pleased to announce the recent formation of a new business alliance partnership with Strategic Applications, Inc. SAI specializes in state-of-the-art infusion and sampling technology. Their expertise in small animal ambulatory and tethered infusion applications represents a good fit with Med Associates’ expertise in rodent drug self-administration and physiological applications. Med Associates is pleased to now offer SAI infusion products directly to our customers. We have already incorporated the SAI Quick Connect Infusion System into our Small Animal Cystometry Lab Systems and our rat self-administration packages. Call our sales office at 802-527-9724 for more information about how you can utilize the Quick Connect system in your infusion applications. Also, see the “In Our Lab” and “Product Particulars” sections of this newsletter for more specific information about the use of the Quick Connect system.
Med Associates and Razel Scientific Instruments: A Strong Relationship Continues
For decades, researchers have employed Razel™ Scientific Instruments syringe pumps in their infusion applications due to the reliability and economy of these pumps. Med Associates has always been a major customer of Razel™ Scientific Instruments, proudly offering Razel™ Syringe Pumps as components in our Rodent Self Administration test packages for many years. In January of 2005, Mansfield Research and Development, another alliance partner with Med Associates, acquired Razel™ Scientific Instruments. To date, Mansfield Research and Development has upgraded the entire Razel™ line with advances such as microprocessor control, USB functionality, push-button operation, and expanded speed ranges. Med Associates continues to supply Razel™ syringe pumps in all of its rodent self-administration packages. Check out our website, as well as Razel™ Scientific Instruments website, for new pumps and technical information.
Med Associates to Display at Upcoming International Congress of Toxicology conference in Montreal
MED associates is pleased to exhibit at the 11th International Congress of Toxicology, which will be held July 15-19, 2007 in Montreal. This meeting promises to be very exciting, as this year commemorates the 30th anniversary of the International Congress of Toxicology. Stop by and see us at our booth if you are in the area.
Sincerely,
Gerry Herrera, Ph.D.
Vice President of Research and Development, Med Associates, Inc.
President, Catamount Research & Development, Inc.
