Structural Plasticity of Hippocampal Mossy Fiber Synapses

在这个项目中，我们的目标是表征与功能可塑性相关的分子和结构变化，这些突触与识别的海马苔藓纤维(MF)突触有关。我们将使用高压冷冻(HPF)进行电子显微镜研究，以最大限度地减少蛋白质变性和组织收缩等组织变化。我们将使用双光子显微镜来监测已识别的MF突触活动诱导的结构变化的时间进程。双光子显微镜也将被用来记录突触后脊椎中的钙瞬变，作为突触强度的读数。

In this project we aim to characterize the molecular and structural changes associated with functional plasticity of identified hippocampal mossy fiber (MF) synapses. We will use high-pressure freezing (HPF) for our electron microscopic studies to minimize tissue alteration such as protein denaturation and tissue shrinkage. We will use 2-photon microscopy to monitor the time course of activity-induced structural changes at identified MF synapses. 2-photon microscopy will also be used to record calcium transients in spines postsynaptic to MF boutons as a read-out of synaptic strength.