Kristie Garza is a PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at Emory University. Garza’s research focuses on the role of non-neuronal cells in learning and memory processes related to PTSD. She received her BS in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin.

In this presentation, Mathew Blurton-Jones will: - Introduce methods to differentiate pluripotent stem cells into microglia. - Describe approaches that can be used to validate the resulting cells. - Describe in vitro assays that can be used to examine microglial function. - Identify potential caveats with in vitro microglial culture. - Explain development and use of new chimeric mouse models to study human microglial function in vivo.

Optogenetics is an incredibly powerful technique for investigating neural circuits and brain function. However, there are numerous caveats to consider when designing, conducting, and interpreting results from optogenetic experiments. SfN members have the opportunity to submit questions about these caveats from August 1 – August 30 to Stephan Lammel, Karel Svoboda, and David Kupferschmidt in a Neuronline Community discussion thread. They will answer your questions in a video panel discussion that will be posted in this module in early September.

To design and conduct a successful and rigorous optogenetics experiment, there are a few key technical issues that must be considered. These include achieving optimal opsin expression, selecting appropriate stimulation parameters, and validating opsin expression and function. SfN members have the opportunity to submit questions from August 1 – August 16 to Module 7 faculty — Chris Chen, Scott Owen, Julia Lemos, and Shana Augustin — in a Neuronline Community discussion thread. They will answer your questions live on Thursday, August 16, from 1–2 pm EDT, so make sure to visit the Neuronline Community forum then.