Cell adhesion and synaptic functions

Cellular Neurophysiology Projects

Contacts: Alexander Dityatev (Senior researcher); Galina Dityateva, Patricia Lievens, Gaga Kochlamazashvili (Post-docs); Elena Dvoretskova (PhD student)

The first assembly of neuronal networks is driven by genetic factors, i.e. by the size of the physiological targets and the expression of chemotactic and/or cell adhesion “recognition” proteins whose genes are specifically transcribed and translated by the various neuronal populations.

cell-adeshesion-and-synaptic-functions

Formation of synaptic connections during development and their modifications by experience are important steps in the wiring of the brain. These processes require molecular recognition cues - cell adhesion, neurotrophins and extracellular matrix molecules – to guide interactions between the growth cones and environment, through which they navigate.

Our research is aimed to identify functional roles of these molecules in specific subtypes of synapses and to use this knowledge for discovery of drug-like compounds capable to restore normal functions in animal models of autism, schizophrenia, epilepsy and obesity.

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