This laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms that regulate the development and maintenance of excitatory synapses in the central nervous system. Particular attention is devoted to isolating presynaptic factors that regulate the accumulation of ionotropic glutamate receptors in the spinal cord and hippocampus.
Techniques utilized include expression cloning, immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology.
Isolation of GRIP a synaptic PDZ domain containing protein which interacts with AMPA receptors. The Development of Excitatory Synapses in Cultured Rat Spinal Cord. Redistribution and stabilization of surface glutamate receptors during synapse formation. Activity-Dependent Modulation of Synaptic AMPA Receptor Accumulation. Synaptic Clustering of AMPA Receptors by the Extracellular Immediate Early Gene Product Narp.