Click in colored areas for more information 
 

1. Cell Biology Stations [Top]

The auditory lab contains three cell biology stations.  While each has a unique area of study, the stations are devoted to the study of hair cell biology and are largely outfitted with the same equipment for electrophysiology, imaging, stimulation, and motion measurement.  Each station is equiped with a microscope (by Zeis or Olympus) and a vibration-isolation table.  Water microjets are used for hair bundle stimulation, and hair bundle motion is observed by stroboscopic illumination or photodiode motion transducers.  The hair cells are viewed with attached cameras (Hamamatsu) and associated image processors (Hamamatsu).  Video printers and VCRs allow recording of the images.  Hair cell electrophysiology is measured with integrating patch clamp equipment (by DAGAN, Axon Instruments, or HEKA).  Calcium imaging and cell capacitance measurements are also possible at some stations. 
2. Electrode Preparation [Top]

Two multi-stage horizontal electrode pullers (Sutter Instrument Co.) are located here.  Variable control of filament design, heating, pull strength, trigger velocity, and pull time allows precise electrode fabrication.  A vertical puller (David Kopf Instruments) is also available and has been used for Sylgard coating of electrode pipettes.  Other preparatory equipment includes a microforge (Narishige) and a volt-ohmmeter for determining electrode impedance. 
3. Single Unit Recording [Top]

The single unit recording station contains a double-walled sound isolation booth to minimize noise and vibrations from external sources.  The combination of System One (Audio Precision) and modular components allows for computer control of stimulus generation and output data processing.  Animal heating pad and controls ensures proper animal body temperature.  Electrode motion is remotely controlled from outside the sound chamber.
4. Sound Motion [Top]

The sound motion station contains a single-walled sound isolation booth.  Experimental equipment allows for fully-integrated computer-controlled input/output processing for calibrations, search stimuli, tuning curve generation, and stimulation by auditory motion waveforms.  Recordings from single-units in the auditory cortex are sorted, and timed with a Tucker Davis system, and stored on disk for off-line analysis.
5. Desk Space [Top]

The lab is complimented by a large desk space area running along a third of the main corridor. This area is centrally located to promote interaction among students and researchers.  A 300 MHz Pentium II computer is also located here for general lab purposes and analyzing data.  Along the short portion of the L-shaped table, there is equipment for controlling the middle ear and otoacoustic emmisions studies. 
6. Middle Ear & Otoacoustic Emmisions [Top]

A single walled sound booth on the northern perimeter of the lab is dedicated to the middle ear investigations and the study of otoacoustic emmisions. Much of the equipment controling these experiments is located on the desk space opposite the booth 
7. Tissue Preparation [Top]

The lab dissection/surgical facilities include three dissection scopes for general and gross dissection.  This area also includes an upright and inverted Zeis microscope for histological observations.  These microscopes are equiped with a TV camera, TV monitor, and video printer.  In addition, a computer controlled morphological measuring system is located here for the purposes of line, angular, surface area, and counting measurements of images or objects. 
8. Noise Exposure Room [Top]

This room contains two sound isolation booths equiped for producing intense sound levels to animal models. Both booths are used for overstimulating the inner ear, and are used in studying the effects of loud sound in hearing loss.  This area also contains equipment for critical point drying of scanning electron microscopy specimens. 
9. Molecular Biology Area [Top]

This area is largely under construction. 
10. Smell and Taste [Top]

A large portion of the Otorhinolaryngology Research Suite is occupied by the smell and taste research faculty. 
11. Storage Closet [Top]

Lab facilities are complimented by a large storage closet, in addition to the ample shelf, floor, and desk space also used for storing unused equipment. 
12. Histology Facility [Top]

The histological facility includes a water-jacketed incubator with carbon dioxide controls and alarms.  A fume hood, fridge/freezer, microtome, and dehydrator are also located here.  Furthermore, an osmometer, pH meter, digital scale, and digital pipettes enable construction of culture media. 
13. Expansion Area [Top]

Currently, this area is under development by Dr. Ruckenstein, a new appointment in the department. Dr. Ruckenstein will develop research facilities to study the immunological basis of hearing and hearing loss. 
14. Secretarial Area [Top]

The secretarial support area is equiped with a networked computer and printer, fax/phone, files cabinets, and photocopier. A small kitchenette is located in this area as well, and includes a mini-range, sink, and small refrigerator. 
15. Office [Top]
    The lab office is located to the left of the main entrance and is appropriately set in close proximity to the main laboratory area, which illustrates the teaching, mentoring, and hands-on philosophy of the lab.