The investigators are Joshua R. Sanes, Ph.D., the Alumni Endowed Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Ann Marie Craig, Ph.D., associate professor of anatomy and neurobiology, Jeff W. Lichtman, M.D., Ph.D., professor of anatomy and neurobiology and of biomedical engineering, and Rachel O. L. Wong, Ph.D., assistant professor of anatomy and neurobiology.
Brain cells communicate with each other across small gaps called synapses.
Changes in synapses are the cellular basis of learning and memory. In addition, researchers believe many neurological and psychiatric disorders directly result from synapse malfunction. When forming synapses, cells must make the right connections. However, scientists do not yet understand how this process occurs. The new grant continues a tradition of combining expertise and technology among labs at the School of Medicine to pursue an answer to this critical question.