Research programme in molecular Neurobiology
Research Director:
Professor Heikki Rauvala
tel. 358-9-708 59064
e-mail: rauvala@operoni.helsinki.fi
The aim of the programme is to understand the molecular mechanism of axonal growth and the formation of neuronal networks. Since the mechanism of the formation of neuronal connections during the development and in adult plasticity seem to be rather similar, there is an attempt to elucidate the molecules involved in the axonal growth during plasticity. Accordingly, molecules involved in neuronal development and repair are intensively investigated in attempt to understand pathogenetic mechanism of neurogenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and to find novel therapeutic possibilities for such diseases. The programme is focused on these projects:
Neurotrophins and their receptors in differentiation, their gene
structure and regulation of expression
The function
of small GTPases in cell morphogenesis and migration
biotek@helsinki.fi