| Date and Time: |
2006-10-16 15:00:00 - 15:45:00 |
| Speaker: |
Heikki Rauvala
Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Finland |
| Title: |
Molecular and Integrative Neuroscience Research in the University of Helsinki |
| Summary : | The research program focuses on neuronal growth factors, adhesion molecules and ion-regulatory proteins in the development, plasticity and disorders of brain. The participating teams represent complementary expertises in different fields of molecular and cellular neurobiology, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, and systems neuroscience. This enables synergistic efforts combining structural, molecular and cellular studies with modern transgenic, behavioural and imaging techniques. The following major topics of the research program will be discussed:
1. Developmental and neuroprotective roles of novel neurotrophic factors, MANFs, recently discovered in the research program. 2. Functions of GDNF family growth factors and their interactions with heparan sulfate proteoglycans, particularly with N-syndecan. 3. The cation-chloride cotransporter KCC2 that was shown to function as a developmental switch in GABAergic neurotransmission that is regulated by neurotrophic factors, including BDNF. 4. Functions of novel adhesion molecules, AMIGOs, recently discovered in the research program. |
