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URL: http://www.cephalopod.org/DBMR.cfm

Proper Citation: National Resource Center for Cephalopods (RRID:SCR_002864)

Description: THIS RESOURCE IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE, documented on July 17, 2013. The center serves the biomedical research community's increased needs for alternative invertebrate models by maintaining a consistent year-round supply of live cephalopod mollusks. These animals are suitable for a wide range of physiological and molecular biological investigations. Investigations are being conducted in the area of life history related to improved animal husbandry. Further studies focus on improving culture system design through development of computer automation and innovative water filtration technology. Current biomedical research on cephalopods includes neurophysiology of the giant axon; anatomy and neurophysiology of the equilibrium receptor organ as a comparative model of the vestibular system of invertebrates; chemoreception, basic nutrition, and protein metabolism; cellular receptor function; and brain, behavior, and learning. Services Provided: The center has built a computer-automated, environmentally controlled, recirculating seawater laboratory for the purpose of culturing cephalopods. The tank systems can be used to conduct a variety of experiments never before possible with cephalopods. Visiting researchers have access to dedicated facilities, including wet and dry laboratory space, office space, computer support and accommodations, as well as priority access to all available live animal resources. Off-site investigators can have live animals, dissected animal tissues/body fluids from all life stages, and a variety of molecular reagents (gene libraries and clones) delivered year-round. Staff expertise and an extensive literature library are available. All life stages of the squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana) and the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) are available year-round from laboratory culture populations. The sepiolid squid (Euprymna scolopes) can also be cultured on request. The squid Lolliguncula brevis is available year-round from local waters; the squids Loligo opalescens, L. pealeii, and L. plei can be obtained seasonally on request. The chambered nautilus, Nautilus pompilius, and Octopus bimaculoides are available on request. Animal costs vary by species and size. Any tissue or body fluid from these animals can also be provided. Fees for special services are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

Abbreviations: NRCC

Synonyms: National Resource Center for Cephalopods

Resource Type: biomaterial supply resource, organism supplier, material resource

Keywords: euprymna scolopes, function, gene, anatomy, animal, axon, behavior, biological, biomedical, brain, cellular, cephalopod mollusk, chemoreception, clone, culture, cuttlefish, invertebrate, inverteprate, laboratory, learning, lolliguncula brevis, metabolism, model, molecular, nautilus pompilius, neurophysiology, nutrition, octopus bimaculoides, organ, physiological, protein, reagent, receptor, research, sepia officinalis, sepiolid squid, sepioteuthis lessoniana, squid