MRC Centre for Synaptic Plasticity

MRC突触可塑性中心的工作旨在更全面地了解突触如何工作。信息是通过改变突触的通讯效率储存在我们的大脑中的，MRC中心有兴趣了解这种可塑性所涉及的分子过程。因此，突触可塑性对于发育期间大脑的正确布线至关重要，并使学习和记忆能够在整个生命中发生。这些机制的病理改变可能导致神经和精神疾病。我们致力于了解这些可塑性机制的基础过程以及它们与学习和记忆的关系。MRC突触可塑性中心致力于公众对科学的理解。事实上，其主任是欧洲DANA脑联盟的创始成员。MRC中心的科学家在英国协会等地举办公开讲座，在当地学校和开放日举行讲座，并就热门问题与新闻界进行交流。MRC中心将继续大力支持这些活动。该中心的成员还密切合作，与布里斯托神经科学（BN）在其公众参与活动，包括提供和配备人员在活动，如两年一度的展览？科学活着？活动（布里斯托），生物科学的孩子（格拉斯哥）和科学在花园（谢菲尔德）。医学研究理事会中心的一名研究员已成为驻地计划研究员，目前正在当地一所中学实习。

The work of the MRC Centre for Synaptic Plasticity is aimed at obtaining a fuller understanding of how synapses work. Information is stored in our brains by alterations in the efficiency of communication at synapses and the MRC Centre is interested in understanding the molecular processes involved in this plasticity. Thus synaptic plasticity is critical for the correct wiring of the brain during development and enables learning and memory to occur throughout life. Pathological alterations in these mechanisms are likely to contribute to neurological and psychiatric disease. We work to understand the processes that underlie these plasticity mechanisms and how they relate to learning and memory.The MRC Centre for Synaptic Plasticity is strongly committed to the public understanding of science. Indeed, its Director is a founder member of the European DANA Alliance for the Brain. MRC Centre scientists present public lectures, such as at the British Association, give talks in local schools and at open days, and communicate with the press on topical issues. The MRC Centre will continue to strongly support such activities. Members of the Centre also collaborate closely with Bristol Neuroscience (BN) in their public engagement activities, including providing and manning displays at events such as the biennial ?Science Alive? event (Bristol), Bioscience Kids (Glasgow) and Science in the Gardens (Sheffield). One researcher within the MRC Centre has been made a Fellow of the Researchers in Residence Scheme and is currently doing a placement with a local secondary school.