Carrying out surveys of local tenebrionid beetles. Comparing metabolic rates across species and seasons.

I taught Mammalian Physiology, Principles of Neuroscience, Neurobiology lab, and Cell Biology lab at the Universities at Shady Grove campus of the University of Maryland, College Park. My duties also included academic advising and teaching occasional summer courses on the College Park campus. In addition to teaching, I developed a research project on the neurobiology of the photosynthetic sea slug, Elysia. Progress on the Elysia project can be followed at http://solarslug.info

Studied the control of excitability and synaptic function, and their modulation by volatile general anesthetics. Using whole-cell patch clamp recording and calcium imaging of the cell bodies Drosophila central neurons, and two-electrode voltage clamp of the larval neuromuscular junction, the effects of the general anesthetics halothane and isoflurane on neuronal function were examined. This was extended by identifying the the cell biological effects of mutants that alter anesthetic sensitivity. Continued studies of the control of neuronal excitability and plasticity. Supervised multiple undergraduate interns who contributed to the studies.Publications resulting from this work:Gao, S et al., 2103, Anesthesiology 118:587-601Mozer, BA, and Sandstrom, DJ, 2012, Mol Cell Neurosci 51:89-100Sandstrom, DJ, 2011, J. Neurogenetics 25:104-114Freeman, A., et al., 2011, Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 46:535-547Peabody, N, et al., 2009, J Neurosci 29:3343-3353Sandstrom, DJ, 2008, Anesthesiology 108:434-446Sandstrom, DJ, 2005, Intl. Congress Ser. 1283:267-268Sandstrom, DJ, 2004, J. Physiol. 558:489-502

Studied mechanisms of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity, using a Drosophila neuiromuscular synapse. The effects of transcription factors that are modulated by learning or neuronal activity on the growth and function of the synapse were examined using two-electrode voltage clamp, immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. Supervised undergraduate and graduate students in analysis of synaptic structure.Publications resulting from this work:Sanyal, S, et al, 2002, Nature 416:870-874Dezazzo, J, et al., 2000, Neuron 27:147-158

Analyzed the control of flight muscle development by steroid-regulated transcription factors. Using a combination of anatomy, immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy, the effects of mutations in a complex genetic locus, Broad, were characterized. It was determined that the muscles developed, but failed to maintain attachment, and that the requirement for broad function was in the epidermis during early pupal development. Publications resulting from this work:Sandstrom, DJ, and Restifo, LL, 1999, J. Cell Sci. 112:4051-4065.Sandstrom, DJ et al., 1997, Devl. Biol. 181:168-185