Research Statement
Past research accomplishments.
Probing the dynamics of neuronal activities is crucial to understand the complex mechanisms of the brain and related diseases. Thus, there are great demands on optogenetic indicators for neuronal activities. However, engineering desired optogenetic indicators is a well-known challenge, probably due to the delicate sensing mechanisms, and the lack of effective high-throughput screen. To tackle this, I developed several novel molecular evolution approaches for improved optogenetic Ca2+ and voltage indicators under guidance of Drs. Robert Campbell and Jed Harrison,.
Optogenetic Ca2+ indicators. Neuronal activities give rise marked increase in the Ca2+ concentration in neurons, which functions as …show more content…
Many neurological and psychiatric disorders are associated with or directly caused by deficits in synaptic protein availability, morphology, or physiology. Our technology will enable system-level understanding of biomolecules within or around a synapse, providing critical information that will advance the diagnosis of brain diseases and support development of new brain therapeutics.
References
1 Nakai J, Ohkura M, Imoto K. A high signal-to-noise Ca(2+) probe composed of a single green fluorescent protein. Nat Biotechnol 2001; 19: 137–41.
2 Nagai T, Sawano A, Park ES, Miyawaki A. Circularly permuted green fluorescent proteins engineered to sense Ca2+. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001; 98: 3197–3202.
3 Akerboom J, Rivera JDV, Rodr??guez Guilbe MM, Malav?? ECA, Hernandez HH, Tian L et al. Crystal structures of the GCaMP calcium sensor reveal the mechanism of fluorescence signal change and aid rational design. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:
Past research accomplishments.
Probing the dynamics of neuronal activities is crucial to understand the complex mechanisms of the brain and related diseases. Thus, there are great demands on optogenetic indicators for neuronal activities. However, engineering desired optogenetic indicators is a well-known challenge, probably due to the delicate sensing mechanisms, and the lack of effective high-throughput screen. To tackle this, I developed several novel molecular evolution approaches for improved optogenetic Ca2+ and voltage indicators under guidance of Drs. Robert Campbell and Jed Harrison,.
Optogenetic Ca2+ indicators. Neuronal activities give rise marked increase in the Ca2+ concentration in neurons, which functions as …show more content…
Many neurological and psychiatric disorders are associated with or directly caused by deficits in synaptic protein availability, morphology, or physiology. Our technology will enable system-level understanding of biomolecules within or around a synapse, providing critical information that will advance the diagnosis of brain diseases and support development of new brain therapeutics.
References
1 Nakai J, Ohkura M, Imoto K. A high signal-to-noise Ca(2+) probe composed of a single green fluorescent protein. Nat Biotechnol 2001; 19: 137–41.
2 Nagai T, Sawano A, Park ES, Miyawaki A. Circularly permuted green fluorescent proteins engineered to sense Ca2+. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001; 98: 3197–3202.
3 Akerboom J, Rivera JDV, Rodr??guez Guilbe MM, Malav?? ECA, Hernandez HH, Tian L et al. Crystal structures of the GCaMP calcium sensor reveal the mechanism of fluorescence signal change and aid rational design. J Biol Chem 2009; 284: