Investigate biophysical, molecular and cellular mechanisms of synaptic transmission and plasticity under normal and pathological conditions-link between gene function and brain disorders-crucial step in the development of novel efficient therapies.

Cellular and Molecular Neurosciences

Faculties: Yoav Gothilf, Ilana Lotan, Pablo Blinder, Nathan Dascal, Moshe Rehavi, Uri Ashery, Izhak Michaelevski, Inna Slutsky, Ari Barzilai, Bernard Attali

Research Techniques: Electrophysiology, Slice recording, Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF), stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), multi-photon imaging, Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), Molecular genetics and Biochemistry, Proteomics, Mass-Spectrometry, Model simulation, Immunohistochemistry, MRI, Behavioral tests

Yoav GothilfThe circadian clock system: underlying molecular mechanisms, functional development and light entrainment. Hypothalamic control of sexual maturation and reproduction. Zebrafish as a model to study Alzheimer's disease

Ilana Lotanvoltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels in transmitter and hormone release

Pablo Blinderphysiology and structure of the neurovascular interface under normal and pathological conditions

Nathan DascalMolecular mechanisms of signal transduction by neurotransmitters in neurons, and their relation to cell function and to human disease

Moshe Rehavimolecular mechanisms of drugs for neuropsychiatric disorders

Uri Asherymolecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission and plasticity under normal conditions, during neurodegenerative diseases and in aging

The synaptic vesicle cycle

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Izhak MichaelevskiMolecular and Functional Neurobiology of Mechanisms of the Episodic Memory and its impairment

Inna SlutskyRegulation of Hippocampal Plasticity: From Single Synapse Dynamics to Alzheimer’s Disease

Ari BarzilaiEffects of mal-functioning DNA damage response on neuro-glio-vascular units in brain diseases. Molecular mechanisms of optic nerve degeneration and regeneration

Bernard AttaliStructure, biophysics and physiology of normal and diseased potassium channels in the brain and heart

Epilepsy