Welcome!

For animals who live in an unpredictable world, the ability to process and remember their sensory environment accurately is crucial for survival. Our lab focuses broadly on how such representations form (learning) and persist (memory). Specifically, we’re interested in the role of non-cellular mechanism, like the extracellular matrix, in long-term memory.

Our group is dedicated to undergraduate-driven neuroscience research. We pair behavioural studies with neuropharmacology, immunohistochemistry, and techniques in molecular biology to study molecular mechanisms of olfactory memory.

The TONG RESEARCH GROUP  is at Earlham College in Richmond, IN, USA.

News/Updates:

Happy first day of classes, #Earlhamites!!
Happy first day of classes, #Earlhamites!!
This summer, we heard a lot of our guest speakers and fellow researchers talk about R and using R. So, why not learn it? Here we are hanging out at the local coffee shop, practicing a t test. #UndergradResearch #STEMatSLAC #KeepLearning
This summer, we heard a lot of our guest speakers and fellow researchers talk about R and using R. So, why not learn it? Here we are hanging out at the local coffee shop, practicing a t test. #UndergradResearch #STEMatSLAC #KeepLearning
Walked in on the students discussing evolutionary origins of diverse sexual orientations. 🤷🏻‍♀️#STEMatSLAC #IntellectualCommunity
Walked in on the students discussing evolutionary origins of diverse sexual orientations. 🤷🏻‍♀️#STEMatSLAC #IntellectualCommunity
Teaser of the gorgeous images that the students took this summer. Have we got a story for you about olfactory discrimination :) #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch #SeeYouAtSfN
Teaser of the gorgeous images that the students took this summer. Have we got a story for you about olfactory discrimination :) #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch #SeeYouAtSfN
When you’re a scientist, and you also take care of yourself. We’re using a shared confocal microscope that charges by the hour. Between 9pm and 9am, they give double discounts for use, so we’ve been imaging into the wee hours of the night. A look inside Tyrique’s “overnight bag.” 😂😂😂 #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch #Extra
When you’re a scientist, and you also take care of yourself. We’re using a shared confocal microscope that charges by the hour. Between 9pm and 9am, they give double discounts for use, so we’ve been imaging into the wee hours of the night. A look inside Tyrique’s “overnight bag.” 😂😂😂 #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch #Extra
Sometimes in science, you find yourself unexpectedly with a free day. Say, e.g., the antibody you need is delayed in arriving ... pro-tip: instead of forcing work, use those days to rest, explore, and connect with people who strengthen you. #UndergradResearch #STEMatSLAC
Sometimes in science, you find yourself unexpectedly with a free day. Say, e.g., the antibody you need is delayed in arriving ... pro-tip: instead of forcing work, use those days to rest, explore, and connect with people who strengthen you. #UndergradResearch #STEMatSLAC
The summer team with Dr. Thom Cleland. Thom has generously let us set up shop in his lab space this summer, and we’re very appreciative. #ScienceIsSharing #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch
The summer team with Dr. Thom Cleland. Thom has generously let us set up shop in his lab space this summer, and we’re very appreciative. #ScienceIsSharing #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch
Shoutout to soon-to-be Dr. Marissa Rice for leading our lab meeting today. Marissa talked about her work in cognitive ecology, explaining the role of the brain in social-spatial cognition. So cool!#STEMatSLAC
Shoutout to soon-to-be Dr. Marissa Rice for leading our lab meeting today. Marissa talked about her work in cognitive ecology, explaining the role of the brain in social-spatial cognition. So cool!#STEMatSLAC
Neuroscientists relaxing after a long day in the lab. Secondary antibodies are on and all slides have been mounted. Imaging to come this week. Wish us luck! #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch #WorkHardPlayHard
Neuroscientists relaxing after a long day in the lab. Secondary antibodies are on and all slides have been mounted. Imaging to come this week. Wish us luck! #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch #WorkHardPlayHard
I’m still amazed by recombinase tech and the way its changed neuroscience. We’re using the FosTRAP transgenic mouse strain. When tamoxifen is injected, these mice begin to transcribe a fluorescent protein wherever cfos is expressed for a short window. Cfos is thought to be transcribed in response to learning. This means that we can capture the neuronal ensembles active during experiences within a short time window. So cool that we can do this!! #MethodsGeek
I’m still amazed by recombinase tech and the way its changed neuroscience. We’re using the FosTRAP transgenic mouse strain. When tamoxifen is injected, these mice begin to transcribe a fluorescent protein wherever cfos is expressed for a short window. Cfos is thought to be transcribed in response to learning. This means that we can capture the neuronal ensembles active during experiences within a short time window. So cool that we can do this!! #MethodsGeek
Shoutout to Dr. Francesco Cavarretta for joining our lab meeting today. Francesco talked to us about biophysical modelling, and shared some of his latest work showing that simulations with multiple biophysically accurate neurons can actually provide insights into network connectivity. Thanks for these insights!
Shoutout to Dr. Francesco Cavarretta for joining our lab meeting today. Francesco talked to us about biophysical modelling, and shared some of his latest work showing that simulations with multiple biophysically accurate neurons can actually provide insights into network connectivity. Thanks for these insights!
Fancy deionized water dispenser! We use this water to mix the buffers that we use for immunofluorescent labeling. Deionized water is closer to a pH of 7, so we have more control over the pH of our buffers. This is critical since the antibody reactions rely on the right chemical environment. #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch #FancyScience
Fancy deionized water dispenser! We use this water to mix the buffers that we use for immunofluorescent labeling. Deionized water is closer to a pH of 7, so we have more control over the pH of our buffers. This is critical since the antibody reactions rely on the right chemical environment. #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch #FancyScience
Scientists on the weekend. Picking strawberries and enjoying non-dark, non-basements. #STEMatSLAC
Scientists on the weekend. Picking strawberries and enjoying non-dark, non-basements. #STEMatSLAC
Wondering about our project? Our lab is interested in non-cellular mechanisms of long-term memory. This summer, we’re characterizing expression of perineuronal nets (PNNs, in red) around cells (in blue) in the olfactory bulb and the piriform cortex after olfactory learning. Once we understand the distribution of PNNs in these regions, we can begin the dissect the neural circuits involved in the learning. Are PNNs selectively expressed around learning-involved neurons? Are they inhibitory or excitatory? Who connects to them and who do they connect to? These answers will clue us into what PNNs are doing in LTM and how they affect memory circuits. Image from a PBS article “unlocking the brain’s deepest secrets.” #UndergradResearch #STEMatSLAC
Wondering about our project? Our lab is interested in non-cellular mechanisms of long-term memory. This summer, we’re characterizing expression of perineuronal nets (PNNs, in red) around cells (in blue) in the olfactory bulb and the piriform cortex after olfactory learning. Once we understand the distribution of PNNs in these regions, we can begin the dissect the neural circuits involved in the learning. Are PNNs selectively expressed around learning-involved neurons? Are they inhibitory or excitatory? Who connects to them and who do they connect to? These answers will clue us into what PNNs are doing in LTM and how they affect memory circuits. Image from a PBS article “unlocking the brain’s deepest secrets.” #UndergradResearch #STEMatSLAC
We made it through our first week research! This week, we mastered perfusions (to fix and harvest mouse brain tissue) and learned to use a laser scanning confocal microscope. Sectioning and immunofluorescence labeling practice coming up next week! #STEMatSLAC #undergradresearch #TRG
We made it through our first week research! This week, we mastered perfusions (to fix and harvest mouse brain tissue) and learned to use a laser scanning confocal microscope. Sectioning and immunofluorescence labeling practice coming up next week! #STEMatSLAC #undergradresearch #TRG
Today we learned how to use the laser scanning confocal microscope at the Cornell BRC Imaging core. Shoutout to Johanna Dela Cruz at the core for an amazing and engaging training session! We’re ready to image some 🧠 #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch #TRG
Today we learned how to use the laser scanning confocal microscope at the Cornell BRC Imaging core. Shoutout to Johanna Dela Cruz at the core for an amazing and engaging training session! We’re ready to image some 🧠 #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch #TRG
Who’s ready for science??? We’re spending this summer doing research at Cornell University. For our project, we’ll make use of CU’s great microscopy core facilities. First lab meeting at the famous gimme! coffee. I guess #STEMatSLAC can sometimes happen at research-intensive universities??
Who’s ready for science??? We’re spending this summer doing research at Cornell University. For our project, we’ll make use of CU’s great microscopy core facilities. First lab meeting at the famous gimme! coffee. I guess #STEMatSLAC can sometimes happen at research-intensive universities??
Here’s a part of science that people don’t often get to see: reading a giant stack of the existing literature! These caffeine-and-snack-driven sessions are where new research ideas are born! #InsideScience #coffeeshopsaremyoffice
Here’s a part of science that people don’t often get to see: reading a giant stack of the existing literature! These caffeine-and-snack-driven sessions are where new research ideas are born! #InsideScience #coffeeshopsaremyoffice
Thanks to Cornell Grad School for inviting Prof Tong back to speak about #STEMatSLAC. I also loved hearing from other panelists about their work.
Thanks to Cornell Grad School for inviting Prof Tong back to speak about #STEMatSLAC. I also loved hearing from other panelists about their work.
Congratulations to this class of neuroscientists! #EarlhamEverywhere #ClassOf2019 #STEMatSLAC
Congratulations to this class of neuroscientists! #EarlhamEverywhere #ClassOf2019 #STEMatSLAC
Happy first day of classes, #Earlhamites!! This summer, we heard a lot of our guest speakers and fellow researchers talk about R and using R. So, why not learn it? Here we are hanging out at the local coffee shop, practicing a t test. #UndergradResearch #STEMatSLAC #KeepLearning Walked in on the students discussing evolutionary origins of diverse sexual orientations. 🤷🏻‍♀️#STEMatSLAC #IntellectualCommunity Teaser of the gorgeous images that the students took this summer. Have we got a story for you about olfactory discrimination :) #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch #SeeYouAtSfN When you’re a scientist, and you also take care of yourself. We’re using a shared confocal microscope that charges by the hour. Between 9pm and 9am, they give double discounts for use, so we’ve been imaging into the wee hours of the night. A look inside Tyrique’s “overnight bag.” 😂😂😂 #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch #Extra Sometimes in science, you find yourself unexpectedly with a free day. Say, e.g., the antibody you need is delayed in arriving ... pro-tip: instead of forcing work, use those days to rest, explore, and connect with people who strengthen you. #UndergradResearch #STEMatSLAC The summer team with Dr. Thom Cleland. Thom has generously let us set up shop in his lab space this summer, and we’re very appreciative. #ScienceIsSharing #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch Shoutout to soon-to-be Dr. Marissa Rice for leading our lab meeting today. Marissa talked about her work in cognitive ecology, explaining the role of the brain in social-spatial cognition. So cool!#STEMatSLAC Neuroscientists relaxing after a long day in the lab. Secondary antibodies are on and all slides have been mounted. Imaging to come this week. Wish us luck! #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch #WorkHardPlayHard I’m still amazed by recombinase tech and the way its changed neuroscience. We’re using the FosTRAP transgenic mouse strain. When tamoxifen is injected, these mice begin to transcribe a fluorescent protein wherever cfos is expressed for a short window. Cfos is thought to be transcribed in response to learning. This means that we can capture the neuronal ensembles active during experiences within a short time window. So cool that we can do this!! #MethodsGeek Shoutout to Dr. Francesco Cavarretta for joining our lab meeting today. Francesco talked to us about biophysical modelling, and shared some of his latest work showing that simulations with multiple biophysically accurate neurons can actually provide insights into network connectivity. Thanks for these insights! Fancy deionized water dispenser! We use this water to mix the buffers that we use for immunofluorescent labeling. Deionized water is closer to a pH of 7, so we have more control over the pH of our buffers. This is critical since the antibody reactions rely on the right chemical environment. #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch #FancyScience Scientists on the weekend. Picking strawberries and enjoying non-dark, non-basements. #STEMatSLAC Wondering about our project? Our lab is interested in non-cellular mechanisms of long-term memory. This summer, we’re characterizing expression of perineuronal nets (PNNs, in red) around cells (in blue) in the olfactory bulb and the piriform cortex after olfactory learning. Once we understand the distribution of PNNs in these regions, we can begin the dissect the neural circuits involved in the learning. Are PNNs selectively expressed around learning-involved neurons? Are they inhibitory or excitatory? Who connects to them and who do they connect to? These answers will clue us into what PNNs are doing in LTM and how they affect memory circuits. Image from a PBS article “unlocking the brain’s deepest secrets.” #UndergradResearch #STEMatSLAC We made it through our first week research! This week, we mastered perfusions (to fix and harvest mouse brain tissue) and learned to use a laser scanning confocal microscope. Sectioning and immunofluorescence labeling practice coming up next week! #STEMatSLAC #undergradresearch #TRG Today we learned how to use the laser scanning confocal microscope at the Cornell BRC Imaging core. Shoutout to Johanna Dela Cruz at the core for an amazing and engaging training session! We’re ready to image some 🧠 #STEMatSLAC #UndergradResearch #TRG Who’s ready for science??? We’re spending this summer doing research at Cornell University. For our project, we’ll make use of CU’s great microscopy core facilities. First lab meeting at the famous gimme! coffee. I guess #STEMatSLAC can sometimes happen at research-intensive universities?? Here’s a part of science that people don’t often get to see: reading a giant stack of the existing literature! These caffeine-and-snack-driven sessions are where new research ideas are born! #InsideScience #coffeeshopsaremyoffice Thanks to Cornell Grad School for inviting Prof Tong back to speak about #STEMatSLAC. I also loved hearing from other panelists about their work. Congratulations to this class of neuroscientists! #EarlhamEverywhere #ClassOf2019 #STEMatSLAC

Feel free to explore this website for more information about what we do and how to join us!