IBN 98-06233 JONAS Brain cells respond to external cues that come from the external environment or from other brain cells by changing the patterns of electrical activity that they generate. These changes in electrical activity, in turn, alter the release of chemicals termed neurotransmitters, which signal to other nerve cells or to muscle cells. During development of the nervous system and during learning, the properties of brain cells change, causing the cells to respond to external signals more or less strongly, or with a different pattern of electrical activity. Dr. Jonas is studying the molecular basis of how these changes in electrical activity occur. In particular she is investigating the movement within nerve cells of a class of proteins termed ion channels, which constitute the building blocks for the generation of patterns of electrical activity. The movement of ion channels between their normal location in the surface membrane of the cell and sites inside the cell may be under the control of enzymes inside the cell known as kinases. One class of kinases, known as tyrosine kinases is particularly important for such cellular rearrangements. These rearrangements coupled to the movement of ion channels appear to be necessary both for the formation of connections between nerve cells and for normally occurring changes in their patterns of electrical activity. This POWRE award will promote the further development of Dr. Jonas' research career in this important area.
