Molecular Neuroscience

Molecular neuroscientists seek to understand the development and function of the nervous system at the level of individual molecules and macromolecular complexes. This broad field encompasses researchers utilizing a variety of approaches to explore issues ranging from the structure and function of individual molecules such as ion channels to the molecular basis of behavior. For example, faculty in molecular neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison study the molecular basis of neuronal differentiation, axon guidance, synaptic transmitter release, ion channel gating, receptor-ligand interactions, cell signaling and cell death, to name a few areas. To perform these studies many researchers are taking a multidisciplinary approach applying protein biochemistry, molecular cloning, site directed mutagenesis, transgenesis, patch clamping, single and multiphoton microscopy, as well as other biophotonic based methods. In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of the Neuroscience Training Program and the breadth of expertise of its faculty, many opportunities exist for cross-disciplinary collaborations with molecular neuroscientists.

Actin microfilaments (green) and b1 integrin receptors (blue) were fluorescently stained after imaging calcium (maximum projection of Fluo-4 sequence displayed in red). (Figure Legend, image courtesy of Timothy Gomez)

Faculty:

Rao M. Adibhatla Integration of Cytokine Biology to Lipid Metabolism After Stroke	Anthony P. Auger Neuroendocrinology of Sex Differences in Brain and Behavior
Mark S. Brownfield Role of Brain Serotonin Neurons on Neuroendocrine and Autonomic Systems	Dongsheng Cai Neural Control of Energy Metabolism
Baron Chanda Structure Function Studies of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels	Edwin R. Chapman Molecular Mechanisms of Ca2+-Triggered Exocytosis
Shing-Yan Chiu Voltage- and Ligand-Gated Channels in Neuron-Glia Interactions	Chiara Cirelli Function of Sleep Using Molecular and Genetic Approaches
Nansi Colley Molecular Genetics of Protein Trafficking in the Drosophila Visual System and Mechanisms of Neurodegeration	Cynthia Czajkowski The Structure and Function of GABAA Receptor
Miles L. Epstein Regulation of Neuronal Differentiation and Neurotransmitter Phenotype	Robert Fettiplace The First Step in Hearing: Mechanotransduction by Auditory Hair Cells
Barry Ganetzky Genetic and Molecular Analysis of Neuronal Signaling, Development, and Maintenance	Timothy M. Gomez Regulation of Axon Guidance by Second Messengers
Meyer B. Jackson Excitability, Synapses, and Circuits in the Nervous System	Jeffrey A. Johnson Signal Transduction, Neurotoxicity, and Transcriptional Control of Neuroprotective Genes
John S. Kuo Molecular Biology of Normal and Tumor-Derived Neural Stem Cells	Lingjun Li Peptidomics, Neuromodulation and Endocrine Regulation of Neural Networks
James S. Malter Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation of Amyloid Precursor Protein mRNA	Thomas F.J. Martin Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter and Peptide Hormone Secretion
Thomas S. McDowell Opioid Modulation of Nociceptive Transmission	Albee Messing Developmental Neurogenetics and Neuropathology of the Mouse
Luigi Puglielli Lipid Signaling in the Aging Brain and Molecular Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease	Gail A. Robertson Molecular Mechanisms of Ion Channel Function and Disease
Avtar Roopra Expression of Neuronal Genes by the Transcription Factor NRSF	Arnold E. Ruoho G-Protein Receptors, G-Proteins, Neurotransmitter Transporters and Sigma Receptors
Dandan Sun Molecular Mechanisms of Ischemic Cell Death in the CNS	Raghu Vemuganti Molecular Mechanisms of Inflammation, Neuronal Death, and Neurogenesis After Stroke
Jyoti J. Watters Signal Transduction and Gene Expression in Microglia	Jerry C.P. Yin Molecular Genetics of Learning and Memory Formation

---

More research strengths:

Behavior, Cognition and Emotion

Development, Plasticity and Repair

Membrane Excitability and Synaptic Transmission

Molecular Neuroscience

Neuronal Circuits

Neurobiology of Disease

Perception and Movement