Abstract: The present invention is an animal cage adapted for providing supply air to the cage by either static or forced ventilation, comprising, a cage receptacle and ventilation distribution means integral to said cage receptacle for distributing supply air to an interior space of said cage receptacle. A ventilation air supply system that provides air to the entire cage receptacle and allows the air to leave the cage receptacle in the same manner without the need for a filter cap or bonnet. The ventilation system creates an even flow of air along the side of the cage receptacle thus providing an even air flow across the bottom of the cage, and therefore providing a better environment for the animal. The present invention also provides a an animal cage with biological barrier means integral to said cage receptacle for precipitating microparticles and/or contaminants in the supply air out of suspension due to the low velocity of the supply air during static ventilation.

Abstract: The invention is a system for maintenance and high-throughput analysis of cerebellar granule neurons in tissue culture plates under chemically defined conditions. The invention includes serum-free granule culture medium, which is composed of high glucose Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Media (DMEM), NaHCO3, sodium pyruvate, and HEPES, which is subsequently adjusted to pH 7.2. The HEPES buffered DMEM is then supplemented with L-glutamine, KCl, bovine albumin, insulin, transferrin, selenium, penicillin, and streptomycin. Unlike proprietary neuronal culture media, this invention does not include any serum, steroid hormones, phenol red, or added anti-oxidants. The serum-free granule culture medium is then placed in conventional poly-lysine coated tissue culture plates in order to conduct subsequent assays. The invention also includes the ability to package the complete neuronal culture system into a “kit” for isolation, maintenance, treatment, and analysis of cerebellar neurons.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of the Lagerstroemia genus characterized by a dwarf size, profuse flower production, semi-seedless trait, extensive lateral branching, and lack of continual vertical growth after maturity.