Konrad Zinsmaier

My laboratory has a long-standing interest in understanding molecular mechanisms that facilitate synaptic function and plasticity, and mechanisms that protect synapses from neurodegeneration. In addition, we are interested in the specialized mechanisms of mitochondrial biology in axons and dendrites of neurons. We investigate these fundamental mechanisms by undertaking a multidisciplinary approach, exploiting the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) of genetically modified Drosophila as a model system. Currently, our research focuses on a) neuroprotective mechanism of synapses, b) molecular mechanisms that control regulated neurotransmitter release, and c) molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial transport and biology in axons. These projects use forward and reverse genetics to genetically dissect the role of key components that are conserved from invertebrates to mammals. Abnormal function is assayed by a variety of techniques including electrical recordings, electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, live imaging of intracellular calcium, endo- and exocytosis, and mitochondrial transport in axons of motor neurons.