Robert Kittel
In search of active zone engrams
Brain Dynamics Graduate School is happy to announce a new talk within our Seminar Series:
- Prof Dr Robert Kittel
Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University Leipzig
"In search of active zone engrams"
12th April 2024, 12:00
Paul Flechsig Institute - Center of Neuropathology and Brain Research, Room 3093, Liebigstraße 19 (Haus C), 04103 Leipzig
Abstract:
The term engram describes the enduring physical neuronal alterations, which are triggered by learning and are the basis of newly formed memories. Hence, an engram can be thought of as a memory trace. While it is widely accepted that synaptic plasticity plays an important role in memory formation, our understanding of learning-induced changes at synapses is far from complete. The identification of such synaptic engrams is obstructed by technical difficulties of obtaining experimental access to synapses in their natural, physiological context and the nanoscopic dimensions of the molecular synaptic architecture. Here, I give a brief overview how modern technologies can be used in Drosophila melanogaster to search for synaptic engrams. This strategy is exemplified by our recent work on the synaptic vesicle associated GTPase Rab3, which modulates key features of the presynaptic site of neurotransmitter release – the so-called active zone.