Structural Plasticity of Hippocampal Mossy Fiber Synapses

Applicant Professor Matthias Kneussel, Ph.D., since 7/2017
Subject Area Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
Term from 2015 to 2019
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 278170285
 

Project Description

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.
DFG Programme Research Units
Subproject of FOR 2419:  Plasticity versus Stability - Molecular Mechanisms of Synaptic Strength
Ehemaliger Antragsteller Professor Dr. Michael Frotscher, until 7/2017 (†)