Molecular and Cellular Cognition Research

Our overarching goal is to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie cognitive processes as well as neuroplasticity changes associated with psychiatric conditions.

Neuroplasticity allows the brain to continuously adapt its functional and structural organization to changing environments. This ability is essential for the individual’s survival, as it allows the adaptation to the surroundings and underlies key functions such as learning and memory. However, the same mechanism can turn into maladaptive changes that give rise to pathological conditions. Despite the progress in the field, the molecular mechanisms of neuroplasticity in health and disease are still poorly understood. The overall goal of the department is to fill this gap in knowledge.

We focus on the investigation of the mechanisms that govern neuroplasticity in the context of memory formation and persistence and their dysfunction in psychiatric conditions. Namely, we are interested in investigating the molecular and cellular basis of the protracted functional and morphological changes triggered by aversive environmental factors (e.g. trauma, substance use, noxious stimuli) that contribute to mental health disorders. The targeting of neuroplasticity processes promises to achieve therapeutic strategies. Particular attention is dedicated to transcriptional and epigenetic regulation given the key function in regulating long-lasting adaptions.

We take an interdisciplinary approach that leverages behavioral testing, engram tools, chemogenetics, epigenetic and transcriptional analysis, as well as morphological and electrophysiological approaches.