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Creating new
knowledge
Exploring new avenues to develop tomorrow’s medical knowledge through an approach that integrates basic and clinical research
Our research units are led by principal investigators who collaborate in a spirit of collegiality and with the vision of bridging the gap between research and patients. They train the next generation of scientists and are independent and creative minds who work tirelessly to improve health.
Current research
"We try to understand how brain cells make connections for normal cognitive functions."
Hideto Takahashi, research director
Synapse Development and Plasticity
The long-term goal of the Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit is to understand how synaptic connections in the brain are formed and mature during development (synapse development), are modified by experience (synaptic plasticity) and are damaged in cognitive and mental disorders (synaptic pathology).
In particular, the laboratory is interested in specific types of synaptic cell adhesion molecules, called “synaptic organizers,” which can promote synapse connectivity. Members of the research unit are using a comprehensive experimental approach based on molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, electrophysiology, mouse genetics and behavioral experiments to address questions on mechanisms of synapse development and synaptic plasticity, and mechanisms of synaptic pathology in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
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“Synaptic organizing complex” : A key mechanism promoting brain cell connections
Brain cell connections called synapses are crucial functional units for information processing in the brain, thus normal development of synapses are essential for higher brain functions such as learning/memory and cognition. Synapse development requires not only physical contact between axons and target neurons but also pre- and post-synaptic differentiation for the release and reception of neurotransmitters such as glutamate (at excitatory synapse) and GABA (at inhibitory synapse). Synaptic organizing complexes are trans-synaptic adhesion complexes with the ability to promote pre- and/or post-synaptic differentiation. Their “synaptogenic activity ” has been suggested to function as essential molecular signals for not only synapse development but also synapse plasticity and maintenance. Neurexin-based complexes are well-studied synaptic organizing complexes, and mutations in those complexes are genetic determinants predisposing to cognitive diseases such as autism and schizophrenia. My lab discovered the neurexin2α-IgSF21 complex as a novel synapse organizing complex that selectively promotes GABA-releasing inhibitory synapse development (Nature Communications (2017). More interestingly, my lab further found that neurexin binds to amyloid-β, which is a toxic molecule that plays a major pathological role in Alzheimer’s disease (Scientific Reports (2017), Front. Cell Neurosci. (2020).
Important Discoveries
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| Grants |
CIHR Project Grant (2018-2023). Role: Principal Investigator NSERC Discovery Grant (2017-2022). Role: Principal Investigator FRQS Research Scholars - Senior (2018-2022). Role: Principal Investigator Parkinson Canada- New Investigator Award (2018-2020). Role: Principal Investigator CIHR Operating Grant (2014-2019). Role: Principal Investigator Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP) Biomedical Research Grant (2017-2019). Role: Principal Investigator Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP) Biomedical Research Grant (2014-2017). Role: Principal Investigator CFI Leaders Opportunity Fund - Funding for research infrastructure. Role: Principal Investigator |
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