Molecular mechanisms that regulate the kinetics of neurotransmitter release

人类大脑的信息处理在正常行为和认知中起着重要作用，大多数行为和认知都需要快速准确地释放神经递质。然而，控制这种释放速度和时间的分子机制在很大程度上仍然不清楚。该研究项目将使用电生理学、电子显微镜、遗传学、生物化学和成像的新组合来研究神经递质释放的速度是如何由最重要的突触蛋白UNC-13及其结合伙伴控制的。这个项目期望在突触传递领域产生重要的知识。研究结果将加深我们对大脑中神经元交流和信息处理的理解。

Information processing in the human brain plays important roles in normal behaviour and cognition, most of which require rapid and precisely timed neurotransmitter release. However, the molecular mechanisms that control the speed and timing of this release remain largely unclear. This research project will use a novel mix of electrophysiology, electron microscopy, genetics, biochemistry, and imaging to investigate how the speed of neurotransmitter release is controlled by the most important synaptic protein UNC-13 and its binding partners. This project expects to generate significant knowledge in the area of synaptic transmission. The outcomes will deepen our understanding of neuronal communication and information processing in the brain.