Neuroscience

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is involved in the transmission of sensory information from the periphery to the brain, including nociceptive information (pain). Diabetes, chemotherapy treatment, surgery, injury and other not uncommon sitations often result in dysfunctions of the sensory system leading to neuropathic pain (chronic pain). Our lab focus on the role of glial cells in the PNS, the satellite glial cells and the Schwann cells. We are interested in understanding their basic biology and glia-neuron interactions, as well as how this bidirectional communication can ”go bad” and result in sensory dysfunctions such as neuropathic pain.

In our team we are investigating what regulates synaptic plasticity and transmission in the brain. Especially, how can we possibly control it? We study key proteins involved in the underlying mechanisms using in vitro electrophysiology and pharmacological tools combined with rodent disease models. We prepare acute brain sections for electrophysiological studies such as extracellular field recordings or patch-clamp analysis. Here we can tightly control the experimental conditions, apply pharmacological tools and precisely stimulate network activity, while concurrently analyzing the neuronal response and properties. Ultimately, our studies may help future patients suffering from brain-related disorders.

Emotion affects our cognitive functions and social behavior. However, we do not know how emotion is represented in our brain yet. My group studies emotional brain circuits and its contributions to psychiatric diseases using mouse models. In this project, students will be able to learn basic and advanced circuit analysis methods, including neuro-tracing tools, fluorescent image analysis, and immunohistochemistry.

How do cells navigate their developmental pathways to assume specific fates, and how does their behaviour adapt under a range of physiological and pathological conditions?  
We explore the mechanisms of cell fate determination and the dynamic states cells adopt in response to varying environments, which are crucial for understanding the intricacies of normal development and disease pathogenesis 

Investigating (a) the roles of sorting receptors SORCS1 and SORCS2 in the development and adult brain and (b) the effects of endocannabinoids in Alzheimer´s disease. Unravelling new concepts defining neuronal integrity and activity.