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Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Neural Circuit Formation in the Mammalian Brain
(VTC)
Michael Fox, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Richmond, Virginia
Synapses - sites that allow information to be passed between neurons - are essential for brain function. The importance of these sites is highlighted by the fact that even minor synaptic abnormalities, caused by disease or neurotrauma, result in devastating neurological deficits. Understanding how central nervous system synapses are targeted, assembled, and maintained is therefore essential to our understanding of neurological disorders. Dr. Fox will present his work on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive neural circuit formation in the mammalian brain. He will describe one set of studies aimed at understanding how different classes of axons target appropriate synaptic partners. He will also describe a separate line of work aimed at uncovering cues that pass between immature synaptic partners that are necessary for the differentiation of these partners into mature synapses.
Hosted by: Michael J. Friedlander, PhD, Executive Director, Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute
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540-526-2070