Research group Hypothalamic synaptic signaling in health and disease
We investigate the neural mechanisms that regulate body homeostasis, including energy balance, food intake, reproduction, and autonomic regulation. Our research focuses on how synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and plasticity within hypothalamic circuits enable the brain to adapt to changes in the internal and external environment.
The goal of our research is to understand the synaptic mechanisms that underlie the brain's regulation of homeostasis under physiological conditions and how these mechanisms are altered in disease. By uncovering the fundamental principles of synaptic function, we aim to provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying neurological and metabolic disorders, including anorexia nervosa, and help identify potential therapeutic targets.
Our research primarily employs electrophysiological approaches, including patch-clamp recordings in acute brain slices and dissociated neurons, advanced fluorescence microscopy, and molecular biology techniques to investigate synaptic transmission, chloride homeostasis, and neuronal excitability. Through close collaborations with national and international research groups, these approaches are complemented by genetic animal models, behavioral analyses, histology, and biochemistry, enabling us to study nervous system function across multiple levels of organization, from molecules to behavior.
If you would like to join our group or learn more about our research, feel free to contact us directly by email.
