1. try to clone the channel forming proteins from diverse brain areas, including the retina, which show a high incidence of coupling, 
2. study their localization by light and electron microscopical immunocytochemistry and 
3. develop functional mutations in tissue cultures and animal models. The latter approach will help us to understand the communicative properties of electrical synapses in neuronal networks.

Actual Literature (Reviews and Book Articles):

1. Dermietzel R. and D.C. Spray: Gap junction in the brain: Why? Where? How many? Trends Neurosci. 16, 186-192. (1993) 
2. Spray, D.C. and R. Dermietzel: X-linked dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and other potential gap junction

diseases of the nervous system. Trends Neurosci. 18, 256-262 (1995)
3. Spray, D., C., Dermietzel, R. (1996) Gap junctions in the nervous system. R.G. Landes Company, Austin. Available via Amazon.com.
4. Dermietzel R.: Gap junction wiring: a new principle in cell-to-cell communication in the nervous system. Brain Res.

Rev. 26, 176-183 (1998)
5. Dermietzel R, Spray D C: From Neuro-Glue (Nervenkitt) to Glia: A Prologue. Glia 24, 1-7 (1998) 

The second topic of our research is the blood-brain-barrier (BBB). The BBB constitutes a structural and metabolic barrier between the intravascular compartment  of cerebral blood vessels and the parenchyma of the brain. The structural constituents of the BBB are provided by interendothelial tight junctions and a low rate of transcytosis.  Specific sets of transporter, receptors, and enzymes represent the metabolic component. Thus,  the barrier by controlling the exchange between the blood and the brain tissue,  creates the specific environment necessary for proper brain functioning. The morphogenetic mechanisms which guide the development of the BBB are essentially unknown. We are currently trying to establish  tissue culture systems in which the development of the BBB can be mimicked. Such in vitro systems are essential to elucidate the molecular background of  BBB maturation and malfunctioning.

Actual Literature (Reviews and Book Articles):

1. Dermietzel, R. and Krause D. (1992). Molecular Anatomy of the Blood-Brain Barrier as Defined by Immunocytochemistry. Intern. Rev. Cytol.
2. Dermietzel, R., Faustmann, P., Krause, D. (1999). Inflammatory reaction of the blood-brain barrier. Alfred Benzon Symposium 45 (eds. O.B. Paulson, G.M. Knudsen, T. Moos) Munsgaard, Copenhagen, pp 403-409
3. Krause, D., Faustmann, P., Dermietzel, R. (in press) Molecular anatomy of the blood-brain-barrier in development and aging. Humana Press.

Cooperation / Offers for Cooperation

Partners: 

• Institute for Molekular Genetics (Bonn) 
• Albert Einstein College of Medicine (New York) 
• Max Dellbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (Berlin)

Methods:

The following methods are routinely performed in our laboratories:
• Cell and tissue cultures: Primary astrocytes, microglia, cerebral pericytes and cerebral  endothelial cells.
• Isolation and culturing of cerebral micromicrovessels
• Culturing of organotypic brain slices
• Culturing of Schwann cells and their precursors
• Culturing of various cell lines
• Confocal laser microscopy
• In situ hybridization


Molecular biological techniques

• Cloning from cDNA and genomic libraries
• RT-PCR
• Transfection of GFP tagged connexins
• Point mutations and truncation of connexin genes


Morphological techniques

• Freeze-fractioning in collaboration with the Department of Cytology (Prof. K. Meller)


Methods in preparation

• Lasermicrodissection
• Biolistic transfection techniques
• Conventional light and electron microscopy
• Light and electron microscopical immunochemistry


For an introduction into diverse techniques see: O. v. Bohlen und Halbach and R. Dermietzel: Methoden der Neurohistologie,  Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg 1999.