The Supramolecular Architecture of the Postsynaptic Density

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R01 · $340,813 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

This project addresses the architecture of neuropil in the human cerebral cortex. Aim 1 uses material from surgically-resected temporal lobe to perform high-resolution quantitative electron microscopic studies of the structure of excitatory synapses, including synapses onto identified classes of interneurons. Using the same biological material, Aim 2 performs quantitative immunogold electron microscopy to define the architecture of a number of different molecules abundant in the postsynaptic density, focusing on proteins whose mutations are implicated in neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disease, especially schizophrenia. Aim 3 performs work similar to that specified for Aims 1 and 2, but focusing on cortical organoids cultured in vitro. These results will make it possible to compare the structure and molecular organization of synapses in culture with synapses in intact brain.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10241997
Project number
5R01NS039444-19
Recipient
UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
Principal Investigator
RICHARD J WEINBERG
Activity code
R01
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2021
Award amount
$340,813
Award type
5
Project period
1999-10-01 → 2023-08-31