Chemical tools to study molecular events at synapses

Our lab develops chemical tools to study proteins dynamics in living cells without genetic modifications—with a stong focus on neuron-glia interactions. In the brain, synaptic connections are the foundation of a healthy neuronal network. Uncontrolled loss of these connections can lead to neurological diseases like Alzheimer and Parkinson.

The phenotypes are well studied, but the molecular processes that dictate whether a synapse will get strengthened or destroyed are still not understood. Membrane proteins involved in cellular communication control the fate of a synapse and must be studied in living cells to gain meaningful insight. Chemical approaches offer alternative solutions to current genetic methods.

This talk will highlight how small molecules can be modified to monitor, tag, or control proteins involved in critical neurobiological processes. They include membrane proteins such as: glutamate receptors, voltage-gated calcium channels, integrins, and neurexin.

We have created a number of molecular probes that can be used as functional reporters or as activity-triggers of cellular activity. Together, these small molecules help us gain unprecedented insight in the function of native proteins in cells like neurons.