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We are interested in synaptic plasticity and the impact of that plasticity on function in the spinal motor system. For our research we use a simple vertebrate model system that affords us some fundamental advantages in this research. Our model, the lamprey, has a central nervous system that is very simple for a vertebrate and which may be kept alive, isolated but otherwise intact, for a number of days. Additionally, a group of axons in the spinal cord are very large and contain presynaptic structures that are exceptionally accessible to the experimentalist. This combination of features enables us to investigate synaptic plasticity at great detail and to determine its role in motor control.

The movie shows a 3 dimensional reconstruction of a fluorescently labeled pair of neurons recorded simultaneously in the spinal cord of the lamprey. The presynaptic terminal is labeled in green with fluorescently tagged phalloidin injected through a microelectrode in to the axon. Phalloidin is a toxin that binds to actin and thus labels synaptic vesicle clusters. The post synaptic neuron is labeled with a red fluorescent dye that was contained in the patch clamp electrode used to record from the cell. The large jet-like red object is the image of this recording electrode.

The cell clearly makes contact with synaptic zones on the axon with spine-like projections.

Recent Publications

Blackmer T, Larsen EC, Bartleson C, Kowalchyk JA, Yoon E-J, Preininger AM, Alford S, Hamm HE, Martin TFJ. (2005) G protein bg directly regulates SNARE protein fusion machinery for secretory granule exocytosis. Nature Neuroscience 8: 421-425 pubmed

Gerachshenko T, Blackmer T, Yoon EJ, Bartleson C, Hamm HE, Alford S. (2005) Gbg acts at the C terminus of SNAP-25 to mediate presynaptic inhibition. Nature Neuroscience 8: 597-605. pubmed

Photowala H, Freed R, Alford S. (2005) Location and function of vesicle clusters, active zones and Ca2+ channels in the lamprey presynaptic terminal. J Physiol. 2005 Nov 15;569(Pt 1):119-35. pubmed

Photowala H, Blackmer T, Schwartz E, Hamm HE, Alford S. G protein bg-subunits activated by serotonin mediate presynaptic inhibition by regulating vesicle fusion properties.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Mar 14;103(11):4281-6. pubmed

Neuroscience is an area of study and research that is rapidly expanding at the national and local levels. The University is actively involved in teaching and research in the Neurosciences at Undergraduate and Graduate levels.

Undegraduate students may chose to major in Neuroscience in a joint program between the departments of Biology, Psychology, Chemistry and Philosophy. This program is coordinated through the Laboratory in Neurobiology.

At the Graduate level, Neuroscience education is coordinated through the Graduate Program in Neuroscience. This program actively recruits graduate students as do a number of member departments including the Department of Biological Sciences.

Other Neuroscience links at the University of Illinois at Chicago