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Terunaga Nakagawa

Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics (MPB)
Vanderbilt Center for Structural Biology (CSB)
Vanderbilt Brain Institute (VBI)


Our goal is to understand the biophysics of learning and memory. We use structural biology, in particular cryo-EM, to reveal the functional mechanism of macromolecular complexes critical for synaptic plasticity, a cellular mechanism underlying learning and memory. We also use transgenic mouse models that are deficient in learning and reveal the underlying synaptic pathology using electrophysiology.

Our goal is to understand the biophysics of learning and memory. We use structural biology, in particular cryo-EM, to reveal the functional mechanism of macromolecular complexes critical for synaptic plasticity, a cellular mechanism underlying learning and memory. We also use transgenic mouse models that are deficient in learning and reveal the underlying synaptic pathology using electrophysiology.

Keywords: Learning and Memory , Molecular Neuroscience , Glutamate Receptors , Cryo-EM , Electrophysiology , Synaptic plasticity

Research Area: Structural Biology , Biophysics , Cell Signaling , Synaptic Function and Neuroendocrinology