A curiosity to understanding how neurons communicate is what drove me into neuroscience. Since I joined the Schweizer lab, I have been working on the following questions:

1. Does protein degradation modulate synaptic physiology?
2. Is protein degradation a fundamental mechanism for neurodegenerative conditions or is it a byproduct?

To investigate these, I have tested different ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) blockers and measured the effects these have on synaptic transmission by means of voltage clamping (Rinetti & Schweizer, 2009, under revision). In addition, to pinpoint candidate proteins that may be responsible for this effect, I utilize different approaches including biochemistry assays and molecular biology techniques (subcloning, transfections, etc.). Imaging techniques (confocal microscopy and photoactivation) are great complementary resources that I have and will continue incorporating to measure dynamic processes within a cell or groups of cells under UPS inhibition. Since our ultimate goal is to be able to apply our understanding of synaptic transmission in the context of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s Disease, I am also working with transgenic models for this condition kindly provided by the Levine lab.

 My curriculum vitae (August 12, 2010)

 Effect of agricultural chemicals on synaptic transmission poster (July 22, 2010)