John Hanley

Biography

The overarching aim of my research is to investigate molecular mechanisms that underlie brain function, in particular synaptic transmission. A primary focus of the lab is the regulation of AMPA receptor trafficking, in particular how the actin cytoskeleton controls this process during synaptic plasticity. We are particularly interested in the protein PICK1, which links membrane proteins to Arp2/3-mediated actin polymerisation to regulate trafficking. In addition, we study how actin dynamics regulate dendritic spine morphology during plasticity.  Research in the lab uses biochemical, molecular and imaging techniques. While still essentially focussing on the regulation of synaptic transmission, my research also investigates how these mechanisms relate to the events that lead to cell death following ischaemia. In addition, we are interested in the actin-regulatory mechanisms that underlie the changes in astrocyte morphology during reactive astrogliosis. Most recently, we have initiated a project to investigate the mechanisms that underlie the invasiveness of brain tumour cells (astrocytoma).

Research Interest

Molecular and Cell Biology