JoVE 2013: The Year in Review

Abstract

In this Year in Review, we take a look at some of the biggest moments from the year 2013 in JoVE: The Journal of Visualized Experiments. January featured two articles that used optical methods to selectively control individual neurons genetically encoded with light-sensitive proteins. These optogenetic techniques were used to study how specific neurons control certain behaviors, such as the escape response in fruit flies (de Vries and Clandinin) and the touch response in zebrafish larvae (Palanca and Sagasti). In February we launched JoVE Chemistry, with subjects ranging from complex biochemistry, to assay development, to chemical engineering, and organic synthesis. This section also includes the design and preparation of materials for advanced biomedical applications. In March, in the Applied Physics section, Truscott et al. demonstrated techniques for three-dimensional imaging of fluid flow fields, such as the airflow passing over a set of synthetic vocal folds, and other pressing questions in the area of fluid mechanics. April brought the launch of JoVE Science Education, a revolutionary video database dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of scientific research. including General Laboratory Techniques, Basic Methods in Cellular and Molecular Biology, and Model Organisms like yeast, Drosophila and C. elegans. In the May issue, Mata-Martinez et al. showed several fluorometric techniques to monitor Ca2+ dynamics in human sperm. Sample collection was not included in this procedure for obvious reasons, so viewers will just have to improvise. June brought another new section: JoVE Behavior, which explores various behavioral aspects of humans and animals. These include addiction, learning & memory, social interaction, and emotion. July's Bioengineering section showcased the incredible ability of nucleic acids to self-assemble into two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures, with Ben-Ishay, et al. designing DNA origami nanorobots that harness the remarkable features of DNA. In August, in the JoVE Behavior section, Morris et al. presented a method for studying the brain's response to cigarette smoking. In September, Gfrerer et al. used zebrafish to study cleft palate and related developmental malformations, observing the formation of craniofacial structures through time-lapse confocal microscopy. October was when we launched JoVE Environment, a multidisciplinary section devoted to research methods in areas like biofuels, oceanography, atmospheric sciences, and natural resources. In November's Clinical and Translational Medicine section, Ebinger et al. featured the STEMO, or stroke emergency mobile, an ambulance with specialized equipment to allow vital diagnostics and interventions to be performed during patient transport. In December, from JoVE Applied Physics, a technique called digital fringe projection was demonstrated by Ekstrand et al. to provide dense, superfast 3D measurements of dynamic surfaces. This Year in Review was just a sampling of more than 700 video articles that JoVE offered in 2013. Browse the JoVE archives for thousands of other videos, and come back each week to see brand-new material in JoVE: The Journal of Visualized Experiments.