Department of Cellular Neurophysiology
Glutamate mediated neuronal-glial signalling.
Synaptically released glutamate activates glial ionotropic (AMPA and NMDA) and metabotropic receptors. Activation of group I metabotropic receptors initiates phospholipase C-dependent synthesis of InsP3, which, in turn, triggers Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ store. The majority (~ 80%) of glutamate released during synaptic transmission is taken up by astroglial Na+/glutamate transporters; subsequently glutamate is converted into glutamine, which is transported back to neurones, where it acts as a main source of newly synthesised glutamate (“glutamate-glutamine shuttle”).
Membrane properties of GFP-labeled primary embryonic stem cells during differentiation.
(A) Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled primary embryonic stem cells (D6/GFP) express the typical neuronal markers βIII-tubulin, MAP-2 and DCX (doublecortin), six days after in vitro differentiation. (B) A typical current pattern of D6/GFP-derived neuron-like cells.
Laboratory of Neurobiology
Research is focused on the cellular, molecular and morphological changes in neurons and glial cells during pathological states such as anoxia and ischemia and during nervous tissue regeneration. In addition, the morphological, electrophysiological and immunohistochemical properties of endogenous stem cells are studied to reveal their possible role in neuroregeneration after injury. Advanced electrophysiological, immunohistochemical and imaging techniques, as well as transgenic animals, are used to identify changes in membrane ionic channels and the expression of cell-type specific markers. Three-dimensional confocal morphometry is used to quantify morphological changes in neurons, glial cells and stem cells.
Neuronal loss and astrogliosis in the hippocampus after global cerebral ischemia.
Coronal sections of the rat hippocampus 7 days after ischemia/reperfusion. The slices were stained with antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and NeuN or nestin.
