by Prof. Marco Mainardi, University of Padua

When: January 30, 2025, at 3:00 pm

Where: Sala Seminari VIMM (Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata Onlus, Via Orus 2, Padova)

Abstract: Information storage in the brain, as well as adaptation of neural circuits to external stimuli, rely on restless rearrangement of synaptic connections. Moreover, synapses adjust their strength by varying their molecular composition. Despite the obvious importance of these phenomena, the use of specific tools to study them has been sporadic. Appropriate genetically encoded reporters and probes can help to fill this gap in terms of both imaging and determination of the molecular composition of synapses.

During my talk, I will discuss my most recent effort in this regard, which are based on the in vivo use of recombinant proteins for synapse visualization and for the isolation of the synaptome in specific activation states.

By using behavioral paradigms of hippocampus-dependent learning, my results contribute to elucidate whether specific hotspots for synaptic plasticity exist and to determine the changes in the molecular composition of synapses that support learning and memory.