The
brain is composed of many millions of neurons, that are connected into
elaborate circuits. The connections between neurons are made by
synapses, of which there are over 100 trillion in the human brain.
Synapses receive, process, and transmit signals from one neuron to
another. These central brain functions are performed in each synapse by
the
coordinated activity of a few hundred to several thousand molecular
machines that include ion channel supercomplexes.
Whenever a synapse receives a signal, molecular machines are activated
that transmit the signal. They also retain a record of the passing
signal. The recorded signals in synapses are thought to be the basis on
which the brain is able to encode and store
information, including the memories of events in our lives. Exactly how
memories are encoded in synapses is currently unclear.
The Frank group is interested in how molecular machines are self-organised
and how synapses are structurally remodelled in response
to activity with the aim of understanding how memory is encoded in the mammalian
brain.
In neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, synapses are
damaged, which is correlated with cognitive decline.
We are interested in the pathological molecular mechanisms of synapse
damage in AD and how synaptic insults in AD are linked to Abeta and tau
pathologies.
We are using genetically engineered mice, cryo-electron microscopy to
determine 3D molecular structures that explain how molecular machines
are organised in situ and the molecular mechanisms responsible for
physiological function and pathological dysfunction in the mammalian
brain.
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Astbury Centre of Structural Molecular Biology
School
of Biomedical Sciences,
Faculty of Biological Sciences
University of Leeds
United Kingdom
LS2 9 JT
r.frank@leeds.ac.uk
@drrenefrank
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