Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology
Analysis of the synaptogenesis of hippocampal neurons and the development of perineuronal nets in transgenic mouse lines
In the central nervous system of vertebrates an efficient and fast excitatory neural transmission through an extensive circuitry between numerous neurons via synapses is guaranteed. The process of the formation of synapses is referred to as synaptogenesis and includes the contacting of neurons with neurons derived from proximate or distant regions. Molecules of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are involved in the regulation of synaptogenesis, because they interact directly or indirectly with the cells in the brain. Perineuronal nets (PNNs) represent a specialized form of the ECM, which surround a subpopulation of neurons and thereby exert influence on these cells.
The project deals with the examination of the formation and development of synapses as well as the formation of PNNs in transgenic mouse lines. For this purpose, an indirect coculture system is generated, in which cortical astrocytes were cultivated in separate inserts above the hippocampal neurons. Through the secretion of many essential factors astrocytes are able to exert influence on the survival and the development of neurons. This special coculture system enables a long duration of cultivation of the cells so that finally the neurons are highly linked to each other and form numerous synapses.
Short academic CV:
- 2007-2012: Studies in biology at the Ruhr-University Bochum
- 2010: Bachelor of Science
- 2012: Master of Science
- Since October 2012: Scientific research assistant at the Department of Cell Morphology and Molecular Neurobiology
Applied methods
Cell biology:
- Primary culture of cortical astrocytes
- Primary culture of hippocampal neurons
- Multielectrode Array (MEA)
- Immunocytochemistry
- Immunohistochemistry
- Microscopy (Axiophot, Laser Scanning Microscope)
Molecular biology:
- Isolation of DNA and RNA
- cDNA synthesis
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Protein biochemistry:
- Isolation of proteins
- SDS PAGE
- Western Blot
