Synaptic activity is central to all behavior, learning, and memory; synaptic dysfunction leads to neurological disorders such as epilepsy, autism, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and sleep disorders. Developing new therapeutic approaches for preventing or treating synaptic dysfunction requires a continuing cadre of young investigators well-trained in multidisciplinary techniques to address synaptic function. This application requests five years of continued funding for the Synapse Neurobiology Training Program (SNTP), to support 4 predoctoral trainees per year, selected from a pool of highly qualified applicants in years 3-5 of thesis research relevant to synaptic structure and function. Research on synaptic function and dysfunction are strengths of the 20 SNTP faculty mentors. In the first 4 years of the SNTP, 11 trainees received individualized, in-depth, multidisciplinary training, 3 have completed their PhD degree and are engaged in academic research, biotech, and teaching careers. In addition, 6 new faculty members were recruited to the Department of Neuroscience, expanding and strengthening the multifaceted research approaches being taught to SNTP trainees and providing a rich diversity of thesis research labs investigating synapse neurobiology and synaptic disorders. SNTP trainees have access to cutting-edge tools and training in a wide array of research approaches via the NINDS-funded Center for Neuroscience Research Cores (Imaging, Behavior, Genomics, and Electrophysiology). The SNTP is further strengthened by a new, stand-alone Neuroscience Program and a curriculum that increases the depth and breadth of trainees' exposure to fundamental concepts in neuroscience, with particular emphasis on the synapse. The new curriculum shifts focus from lecture-based teaching to interactive, discussion-oriented small group sessions with faculty and hands-on workshops that hone the trainees' critical thinking and technical skills. SNTP trainees have multiple opportunities to interact with physician scientists through coursework, collaborative research projects, and one-on-one interactions with clinicians. The latter activity represents a new initiative that provides SNTP trainees with an opportunity to learn about diseases most relevant to their thesis work. Trainees also benefit from a Career Paths seminar series that exposes them to the diverse post-PhD career options available and to help them start a personal contact network. Annual research seminars by trainees hone their presentation skills and reinforce the highly interactive environment that characterizes the Tufts neuroscience community. SNTP trainees are capable, proactive, and motivated scientists, as evidenced by awards, presentations at national meetings, and student-led outreach activities that include teaching workshops at high schools and colleges with large populations of students from underserved groups. The SNTP provides trainees with the solid multifaceted foundation they need to build successful research careers and contribute to knowledge of both healthy and diseased nervous systems.

Public Health Relevance

The Synapse Neurobiology Training Program emphasizes the training of predoctoral students in critical thinking and multidisciplinary research approaches to study synapses-their structure and function and how they control circuits and behavior in normal and disease states. This training will contribute to the cadre of talented young researchers necessary to a vibrant neuroscience research community capable of developing new approaches for diagnosing, preventing, and treating neurological diseases caused by synaptic dysfunction.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
Project #
5T32NS061764-08
Application #
9109688
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZNS1-SRB-J (04))
Program Officer
Korn, Stephen J
Project Start
2008-07-01
Project End
2019-06-30
Budget Start
2016-07-01
Budget End
2017-06-30
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
$168,426
Indirect Cost
$9,040
Name
Tufts University
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
039318308
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02111
Coleman, Andrew; Biederer, Thomas (2018) Open Up to Make New Contacts: Caldendrin Senses Postsynaptic Calcium Influx to Dynamically Organize Dendritic Spines. Neuron 97:994-996
Hooper, Andrew; Fuller, Patrick M; Maguire, Jamie (2018) Hippocampal corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons support recognition memory and modulate hippocampal excitability. PLoS One 13:e0191363
Davis, Patrick; Reijmers, Leon G (2018) The dynamic nature of fear engrams in the basolateral amygdala. Brain Res Bull 141:44-49
Pirone, Antonella; Alexander, Jonathan M; Koenig, Jenny B et al. (2018) Social Stimulus Causes Aberrant Activation of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex in a Mouse Model With Autism-Like Behaviors. Front Synaptic Neurosci 10:35
Kuo, Yi-Chun; He, Xiaojing; Coleman, Andrew J et al. (2018) Structural analyses of FERM domain-mediated membrane localization of FARP1. Sci Rep 8:10477
Xu, Jie; Bartolome, Christopher L; Low, Cho Shing et al. (2018) Genetic identification of leptin neural circuits in energy and glucose homeostases. Nature 556:505-509
Fuchs, T; Jefferson, S J; Hooper, A et al. (2017) Disinhibition of somatostatin-positive GABAergic interneurons results in an anxiolytic and antidepressant-like brain state. Mol Psychiatry 22:920-930
Davis, Patrick; Zaki, Yosif; Maguire, Jamie et al. (2017) Cellular and oscillatory substrates of fear extinction learning. Nat Neurosci 20:1624-1633
Hodul, Molly; Dahlberg, Caroline L; Juo, Peter (2017) Function of the Deubiquitinating Enzyme USP46 in the Nervous System and Its Regulation by WD40-Repeat Proteins. Front Synaptic Neurosci 9:16
Felsted, Jennifer A; Chien, Cheng-Hao; Wang, Dongqing et al. (2017) Alpha2delta-1 in SF1+ Neurons of the Ventromedial Hypothalamus Is an Essential Regulator of Glucose and Lipid Homeostasis. Cell Rep 21:2737-2747

Showing the most recent 10 out of 54 publications