Science
Jellyfish Shed Fluorescent Light on How the Brain Works
By
Jun 5, 2009 - 7:48:39 AM

New research offers prospect of watching the brain as it learns

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Scientists at the University of Leicester are developing new ways of studying how brain cells work -thanks to jellyfish!

Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Leicester, Nicholas Hartell, is leading a research group examining the connections between brain cells, called synapses.

And thanks to fluorescent protein sensors derived from proteins originally discovered in jellyfish, the researchers can watch synapses as they transmit and store information.

Professor Hartell, of the Department of Cell Physiology and Pharmacology, will be explaining his research at an inaugural public lecture to be held on Tuesday 9 June at 5.30pm in Lecture Theatre 1, Ken Edwards Building. It is open to the public and free.

He said: "Changes in the strength of signalling between excitable cells in the brain provide a mechanism for information storage in the brain. In this lecture, I will discuss how synapses, the specialised connections formed between brain cells, can change their properties and so contribute to the learning and the formation of memory.

"In particular, I will introduce recent work that aims to develop methods of visualising synaptic transmission during learning. I will also consider the application of technology originally developed for televisions, projectors and the telecommunications industry to high speed visualisation of neurones and neural networks."

Career Synopsis
Professor Hartell's interest in pursuing a career in Neuroscience began with a one year sandwich placement at the Institute of Neurology, Queens Square, London during his undergraduate studies. During this placement, he spent a year working on the effects of stroke. On completion of his undergraduate studies, he moved to Bristol to work in the Department of Physiology. During his PhD, he used electrophysiological techniques to examine the effects of anaesthetics and opioids on neuronal activity. On completion of his PhD, he then became interested in the cerebellum and its role in locomotion and in 1992, he was awarded a fellowship to work with Professor Masao Ito in Japan, a world expert in learning and memory in the cerebellum.

In Japan, Professor Hartell investigated a phenomenon known as long-term depression, a form of synaptic plasticity that underpins learning of motor tasks. Here, he examined the roles of various receptors and second messengers in LTD including nitric oxide and cyclic GMP.

He returned to the UK in 1996 to take up a Lectureship at Aston University in Birmingham. Here, he formed his own laboratory and continued to combine electrophysiological and live cell imaging techniques to examine synaptic transmission and plasticity in the cerebellum. He moved to the School of Pharmacy in 2001 as a Senior Lecturer where this work continued.

Professor Hartell took up a chair in Neuroscience in 2007 at the University of Leicester and here he continues to explore the synaptic mechanisms that underpin learning and memory. In the last few years, his laboratory has developed interests in developing methods that allow synaptic transmission to be visualised in real time. His goal is to be able to use these tools to watch the brain as it learns.

Professor Hartell is a member of numerous professional organisations. He is a member of the Animal systems, health and wellbeing committee at the BBSRC. He currently heads the Neuroscience and Behaviour Research Theme at Leicester.

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