Structural Plasticity of Hippocampal Mossy Fiber Synapses

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Matthias Kneussel, Ph.D., since 7/2017
• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 278170285

In this project we aim to characterize the molecular and structural changes associated with functional plasticity of identified hippocampal mossy fiber (MF) synapses. We will use high-pressure freezing (HPF) for our electron microscopic studies to minimize tissue alteration such as protein denaturation and tissue shrinkage. We will use 2-photon microscopy to monitor the time course of activity-induced structural changes at identified MF synapses. 2-photon microscopy will also be used to record calcium transients in spines postsynaptic to MF boutons as a read-out of synaptic strength.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 2419: Plasticity versus Stability - Molecular Mechanisms of Synaptic Strength
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Michael Frotscher, until 7/2017 (†)