Mechanisms Underlying the Balance of Synaptic Complex Assembly and Disassembly

大脑是一个非常复杂的器官。 如果神经元不与它们的伙伴交谈，大脑就无法运作。 大脑是如何让正确的交流发生的？一种方法是调节神经元使用的信号蛋白的数量。 这项研究的目的是了解大脑如何执行这一过程。 Firestein博士克隆了一种名为cypin的蛋白质，这种蛋白质参与确保神经元交流部位的蛋白质数量正确。 拟议的研究将首先通过分析cypin的部分并确定哪些区域负责cypin功能来研究cypin如何执行此功能。 其次，Firestein博士将分析为什么cypin比其他蛋白更好地调节某些蛋白质的定位。 最后，Firestein博士将确定当cypin水平在神经元中增加时会发生什么。 这些研究的结果将增加我们对大脑发育的基本机制的理解。 此外，这些实验的表现将是一个计划的一部分，以培训本科生和研究生在神经科学的尖端技术。两名博士生，其中一人是代表性不足的少数民族，和两名本科生，将参与执行拟议的实验。 此外，Firestein博士将开发一个高级神经生物学实验室，为罗格斯大学实验室的本科生做好准备。 总的来说，拟议的项目将帮助我们了解大脑是如何进行通信的，同时为学生提供进行实验室科学的机会。

The brain is an incredibly complex organ. If neurons do not talk to their partners, the brain does not function. How does the brain manage to allow the correct communication to occur? One way is to regulate the amount of signaling proteins that are used by the neurons. The purpose of the proposed research is to understand how the brain performs this process. Dr. Firestein has cloned a protein called cypin which is involved in making sure that there is a correct amount of proteins at sites where neurons communicate. The proposed studies will first investigate how cypin performs this function by analyzing portions of cypin and determining which regions are responsible for cypin function. Second, Dr. Firestein will analyze why cypin regulates the localization of some proteins better than others. Finally, Dr. Firestein will determine what happens when cypin levels are increased in neurons. The results of these studies will increase our understanding of basic mechanisms that underlie brain development. In addition, the performance of these experiments will be part of a program to train undergraduate and graduate students in cutting edge-techniques in neuroscience. Two doctoral students, one of whom is an underrepresented minority, and two undergraduate students, will be involved in performing the experiments proposed. In addition, Dr. Firestein will be developing an Advanced Neurobiology Laboratory to prepare undergraduate students for bench work in laboratories at Rutgers University. Taken together, the proposed project will help us to understand how the brain is wired for communication, at the same time providing opportunities for students to conduct bench science.