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是如何工作的。信息通过突触交流效率的改变储存在我们的大脑中，MRC中心对理解这种可塑性所涉及的分子过程很感兴趣。因此，突触的可塑性对于大脑在发育过程中的正确连接至关重要，并使学习和记忆在一生中都能发生。这些机制的病理改变可能导致神经和精神疾病。我们致力于理解这些可塑性机制背后的过程，以及它们与学习和记忆的关系。MRC突触可塑性中心坚定地致力于公众对科学的理解。事实上，它的主任是欧洲大脑DANA联盟的创始成员。MRC中心的科学家们发表公开演讲，例如在英国协会，在当地学校和开放日发表演讲，并就时事问题与新闻界进行交流。湄公河合作中心将继续大力支持这些活动。该中心的成员还与布里斯托尔神经科学（BN）在公众参与活动中密切合作，包括在双年展？科学还活着吗?活动（布里斯托尔），生物科学儿童（格拉斯哥）和科学花园（谢菲尔德）。MRC中心的一名研究人员已成为研究人员驻校计划的研究员，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.