Camin Dean

Biography

We are interested in how individual synapses, neurons and circuits dynamically adjust their transmission properties in response to changes in network activity. To accomplish this, neurons signal not only unidirectionally via classical pre to post-synaptic transmission, but also bidirectionally via pre or post-synaptic release of neuropeptides and neurotrophins. This bidirectional channel of communication is essential to modulate synapse and circuit strength, via regulation of distinct membrane fusion events on both sides of the synapse, including synaptic vesicle exocytosis, and post-synaptic receptor and adhesion molecule recycling. We investigate the mechanisms by which these trans-synaptic signaling events are regulated at the single synapse, single neuron and network levels, using live imaging, electrophysiology, and biochemistry in neuronal cultures and brain slices. Our goal is to understand how neurons communicate changes in activity to affect circuit function, and ultimately behavior, during learning and memory, or to counteract aberrant brain states such as seizure activity.

Research Interest

Trans-synaptic Signaling