#Facultyseminar: The presynaptic dimension of brain pathologies: Munc13-1 and Complexin and their control over synaptic (dys)function

The proper functioning of the nervous system relies on fast and efficient neurotransmission at synapses, the communication junctions between nerve cells. Synapses control brain demands by modulating their strength and plasticity, a process that hinges on the specific molecular composition and regulation of the neurotransmitter release and reception machinery. These specialized properties vary between synapses and play a critical role in defining their unique functions. Understanding the distinct molecular mechanisms underlying synapse-specific machinery is essential for uncovering the roots of synaptopathies—neurodevelopmental syndromes that arise from dysfunctions in particular synapse populations.

Our research focuses on two key proteins: complexin-1 and Munc13-1, both integral components of the core neurotransmitter release machinery. We investigate how specific synapses in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and brainstem respond to critical mutations or knockouts of these proteins. By studying the resulting presynaptic dysfunctions, we aim to uncover their impact on brain microcircuit activity and provide insights into the mechanisms driving synaptopathy.

Hosted by Artur Llobet

Fran López-Murcia is Principal Investigator in the laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology and Lecturer in Neurobiology and Histology at the

University of Barcelona (UB) since 2022. His scientific journey began with a PhD in the Lab of Artur Llobet at UB. He then moved to the lab of Prof. Nils Brose at the Max Planck Institute of Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany. During this time, he collaborated with renowned neurobiologists, including Prof. Erwin Neher, a Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine. His expertise lies in investigating synaptic (dys)function through patch-clamp electrophysiology in brain slices from mouse models of synapse-related diseases