The roles of glutamate receptors in plasticity

Ionotropic glutamate receptors are central to excitatory synapses. Our lab seeks to understand the role that a subgroup of the glutamate receptor ion channel family, kainate receptors play in synaptic function. Through the generation and analysis of knockout and knock-in mice, we have been able to contribute new insight into the function of neuronal kainate receptors.  These receptors are abundantly expressed in the principal excitatory neurons in the CA3 region of the hippocampus where they are integral to several forms of plasticity. Kainate receptors are located at both pre- and postsynaptic sides of the mossy fiber synapse and on-going studies in the lab are geared towards defining their precise mechanistic roles in modulating synaptic function.

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