November 2014: This Month in JoVE: Flow Cytometry in Space, Venom Extraction from Spiders, Decision Making in Bumblebees, and Oceanic Microbial Communities

Abstract

Here's a look at what's coming up in the November 2014 issue of JoVE: The Journal of Visualized Experiments. In JoVE Biology, we have a lot of videos that use flow cytometry, which detects particles in suspension based on their fluorescence or their ability to absorb or scatter light. This technology allows blood and other heterogeneous cell mixtures to be sorted into cell populations. This has many biomedical applications, and this month, JoVE takes flow cytometry to a whole new level with a protocol that can be performed in space. Phipps et al. demonstrate how to construct a flow cytometry rig that can operate in zero-gravity conditions. Then, they take it aboard a reduced-gravity aircraft, which creates a weightless environment at certain points in its parabolic flight path. Besides showing how to operate the flow cytometer, Phipps et al. demonstrate techniques for staying in control and avoiding nausea on reduced-gravity aircrafts, known affectionately as vomit comets to those who have flown on them. With these methods, vital diagnostics and experiments based on flow cytometry may be taken into space. Also in JoVE Biology, we examine the western black widow spider. The female western widow makes deadly venom that is full of neurotoxins, so scientists are interested in isolating and characterizing the venom's components. Garb demonstrates how to extract the venom, which can be subjected to protein analysis or functional assays. It also shows how to isolate venom glands from the spiders for gene expression studies. These methods may reveal important cellular pathways that are induced by venom, or provide leads for drug development. In JoVE Neuroscience, bees are often used to model learning, memory, and behavior. This month, Orban and Plowright use two automated systems to study choice behavior in bumblebees One method is based on radio frequency identification (RFID). The researchers place RFID-enabled tags on the bumblebees and show them artificial flowers with RFID readers. Every time a tagged bumblebee enters a flower, it is automatically recorded. In a second method, the bumblebees receive colored tags with numbers, and motion-sensitive high-definition video cameras capture various behaviors associated with choice, like approach, hovering, and landing. These techniques can reveal how bees choose one flower over another, and delve into the root of perception and choice in animals. In JoVE Environment, many natural resources come from the ocean, and tiny microorganisms and chemicals are critical components of marine ecosystems. This month, Haas et al. describe how to collect seawater samples, and present a series of validated protocols to analyze chemical and microbial components. The set of protocols provides an up to date approach to studying the microscopic and chemical makeup of the ocean. You've just had a sneak peek of the November 2014 issue of JoVE. Visit the website to see the full-length articles, plus many more, in JoVE: The Journal of Visualized Experiments.