Cellular Neurobiology

Neurons are the most specialized cells in any organism. They use different chemical and electrical signaling mechanisms to conduct information from one part of the body to another. In order to do so, neurons develop very complex morphologies with processes that can be several thousand times longer than the neuronal cell body diameter. The development and functioning of neurons depend on highly controlled protein expression, very specific protein interactions and signal transduction cascades as well as regulated protein and membrane transport and degradation mechanisms. In order to understand how the complex nervous systems develops and functions in normal and disease states, it is essential to dissect the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms.

Modern cellular neurobiology uses a variety of molecular, genetic, biochemical, cell biological and biophysical approaches to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuronal development, signaling, apoptosis, degeneration and regeneration. Live cell imaging approaches including Fluorescent Speckle Microscopy, Total Internal Reflection Microscopy and Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer are important techniques used by labs in the Integrative Neuroscience Training group to study the dynamics of cytoskeletal, signaling and receptor proteins in neurons.

Related Publication

Lee, A. C., and D. M. Suter. 2008. Quantitative analysis of microtubule dynamics during adhesion-mediated growth cone guidance. Dev. Neurobiol . 68 ( 12 ): 1363-1377. (pdf)

This differential interference contrast image shows an Aplysia neuronal growth cone interacting with a 5 micron glass bead coated with a cell adhesion protein that binds to the growth cone plasma membrane. The bead is kept in place with a micropipette. The bead mimics a cellular adhesion site and triggers microtubule (blue) extension towards the bead as well as leading edge growth in front of the bead. This research was conducted by Aih Cheun Lee, a graduate student in the Suter lab.