George Augustine, Neurobiology

Dr. Augustine's lab is interested in the function of synaptic connections between nerve cells. Experiments in the lab employ electrophysiological, molecular biological, and imaging methods to study the activity of single synapses and attention is focused on two general questions. First, Dr. Augustine and his colleagues are examining the molecular basis of neurotransmitter release. The lab is exploring the molecular mechanisms that transduce a rise in neuronal Ca concentration into the exocytotic secretion of neurotransmitters, focusing on identifying the roles of proteins that are associated with synaptic vesicles. Second, they are examining the molecular mechanisms underlying long-lasting synaptic plasticity. One project examines the role of second messengers, such as Ca and IP3, in mediating long-term synaptic depression in the cerebellum. They are now attempting to understand the molecular changes that underlie the long-lasting changes in glutamate receptor function that ultimately produce long-term depression. Another, more recent project is defining the long-lasting changes in synaptic function that occur in the hippocampus during epilepsy. Trainees are welcome to participate in any of the on-going research activities of our lab and have wide latitude in selecting the specific project that they perform for their doctoral research. In addition to designing and performing experiments, all trainees are expected to participate in weekly lab meetings, to discuss their progress, and lab journal club, to survey recent literature in their research specialty.