Neurobiology

Much of our lab's recent work on signal transduction has focused on signalling in neurons. Neurons are cells that specialize in receiving and transmitting signals, and undergo long-term changes in response to these signals. Neurons integrate signals from neurotransmitter receptors that are coupled to diverse second messenger systems including kinases, G proteins, and ion channels. In addition, neuronal survival and differentiation are modulated by neurotrophins such as NGF and CNTF adding yet more complexity to the signalling processes which occur in neurons. Thus, neurons provide an excellent system for studying intracellular signalling. A model that includes some of our findings is here.

Our research in neurobiology has also begun to move in new directions with projects currently underway to study aspects of neuronal differentiation and apoptosis, and even the molecular basis of behavior. Stay tuned to see how our work progresses in these exciting areas.

Here are some recent publications:

Ghosh and Greenberg.Distinct roles for bFGF and NT-3 in the regulation of cortical neurogenesis. Neuron 1995; 15:89-103.
Ghosh, Carnahan, and Greenberg. Requirement for BDNF in activity-dependent survival of cortical neurons. Science 1994; 263:1618-23.

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