Description de la soumission d'un avis
Tutored seminar: Nicola Allen
Astrocyte regulation of neuronal synapses
Friday, May 13th, 2022, the NeuroSchool PhD Program will invite Nicola J. Allen (Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, USA) for a seminar entitled “Astrocyte regulation of neuronal synapses“.
Abstract
Our work investigates how neuronal synapses are regulated throughout life: from the formation of synapses during development, to the remodeling of synapses in the adult in response to experience, to the loss of synapses in aging. We approach this by asking how non-neuronal glial cells, specifically astrocytes, regulate synapse number and synaptic function. This has led to identification of proteins secreted by developing astrocytes that are sufficient to induce immature synapses to form, and additional signals secreted by adult astrocytes that induce synapse maturation and limit synaptic plasticity. We have further identified altered protein secretion from astrocytes in genetic neurodevelopmental disorders, and determined which of these alterations is responsible for negatively impacting neuronal development. We are now asking if manipulation of synapse-regulating factors in astrocytes is sufficient to delay progression of synaptic dysfunction in aging and neurodegeneration.
Friday, May 13h, 2022, Timone campus, CERIMED amphitheater
Program:
- 1:30 pm – Discussion among students to discuss the papers – For Ph.D students only – Timone campus, CERIMED amphitheater
- 2:30 pm – Seminar – Open to all – Timone campus, CERIMED amphitheater
- 3:30 pm – Special discussion time with the speaker – For Ph.D students only – Timone campus, CERIMED amphitheater
📢 Ph.D. Students, register on AMETICE for your hours to be counted. Attendants get 3 hours, chairpersons 4 hours.
📍 Aerial view of the CERIMED site
Register to the seminar
Our speaker
Nicola Allen is an Associate Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, USA. She received her PhD working with David Attwell at University College London studying neuronal responses to ischemia, and performed Postdoctoral research with Ben Barres at Stanford University where she identified how astrocytes regulate the formation of functional synapses between neurons. Current work in her lab investigates how neuronal synapses are regulated throughout life: from the formation of synapses during development, to the remodeling of synapses in the adult in response to experience, to the loss of synapses in aging. This is approached not just by studying neurons, but by asking how non-neuronal glial cells, specifically astrocytes, regulate synapse number and synaptic function. The goal is to use this knowledge of astrocytes to repair synapses when they are dysfunctional in diverse neurological disorders.