Coordination Funds

大脑中信息的处理、存储和检索依赖于神经回路和连接回路内元件的突触。虽然突触网络的总体结构多年来保持稳定，但突触强度可以在微小范围内变化，以响应特定的活动模式。在突触处发生的活动依赖性结构和功能变化被称为突触可塑性，并且被认为是学习和记忆的基础，形成认知功能的基础。稳定性和灵活性之间的平衡是如何保持的，人们几乎不知道，特别是突触蛋白的周转很快，在几分钟到几小时内，而记忆可能持续几十年。例如，突触激活或沉默如何调节突触分子的动态平衡或树突棘的长期存活在很大程度上是未知的。被认为是“突触病变”的认知和精神障碍的名单正在增加，包括自闭症谱系障碍和精神分裂症。DFG Research Unit FOR 2419应用解剖学、生物化学、生理学、遗传学和光遗传学方法来解决突触水平上“可塑性”和“稳定性”之间的冲突。该联盟结合了分子，细胞和系统神经科学的专业知识，考虑到突触成分的不断更新，询问如何实现稳定的突触传递。专注于mRNA，蛋白质和细胞器的活动依赖性运输，FOR 2419项目研究了设定突触寿命和记忆基础的分子和细胞机制。我们的研究集中在人类身份核心的高度热门问题上，并为理解神经元疾病提供了基础。

The processing, storage and retrieval of information in the brain depend on neural circuits and the synapses which connect elements within the circuits. Although the gross structure of synaptic networks is stable for years, synaptic strength can change in the minute range in response to particular patterns of activity. The activity-dependent structural and functional changes that occur at synapses are known as synaptic plasticity and are thought to underlie learning and memory, forming the basis for cognitive function. How the balance between stability and flexibility is maintained is barely understood, especially as synaptic proteins turnover rapidly, in minutes to hours whereas memories may last decades. For instance, it is largely unknown how synaptic activation or silencing regulate the dynamic equilibrium of synaptic molecules or the long-term survival of dendritic spines. The list of cognitive and psychiatric disorders that are thought to be “synaptopathies” is growing and includes autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. The DFG Research Unit FOR 2419 applies anatomical, biochemical, physiological, genetic and optogenetic approaches to address the conflict between “plasticity” and “stability” at the synaptic level. The consortium combines expertise in molecular, cellular and systems neuroscience to ask how stable synaptic transmission is achieved, considering the constant turnover of synaptic constituents. Focusing on activity-dependent trafficking of mRNAs, proteins and organelles, FOR 2419 projects investigate molecular and cellular mechanisms that set synaptic lifetime and underlie memory. Our research focusses on highly topical questions at the core of human identity and provides a basis for understanding neuronal disease.