Synaptic plasticity, a cellular basis of learning and memory, is mediated by a complex biochemical signaling network consists of hundreds of signaling proteins. In particular, Ca2+- dependent signaling in dendritic spines, tiny postsynaptic compartments emanating from dendritic surface, plays a key role in the induction of long-term synaptic plasticity. In order to understand the operational principles of this network and the mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity, the activity of hundreds of proteins under many manipulations needs to be measured in single dendritic spines during synaptic plasticity. The activity of proteins in spines has been measured using advanced fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based techniques. However, thus far only a small fraction of the entire network has been measured. Our understanding of signaling networks is limited by this scarcity of measurements for signaling components. Thus, the goal of this project is to establish a high-throughput system for the development and optimization of signaling sensors, and a fully automated system for imaging signal transduction during plasticity in single dendritic spines. Using this high-throughput imaging system, we aim to improve the overall efficiency of data output by orders of magnitude, producing large data sets that could be further analyzed for information flow in the signaling network and connectivity between network elements. Thus, this project is expected to lead to a dramatic advance in our understanding of intracellular signaling in neurons and provide key insights into the mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity and ultimately learning and memory.
Failures in biochemical signaling in neurons cause impaired synaptic plasticity and neuronal degeneration, which in turn cause mental diseases including many forms of dementia, mental retardation and autism. This project is expected to dramatically improve our understanding of t
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