Discovery of a new mechanism involving GABA-B receptors and the protein AJAP-1 in the localization of these receptors in the brain (Bettler Lab)
The DBM congratulates the Bettler Lab for their recent paper accepted by Science Advances. The authors have uncovered a novel mechanism involving GABA-B receptors and the protein AJAP-1, which maintains the receptors' placement in the brain. More
Botond Roska and José-Alain Sahel win the Wolf Prize
2024 in the field of medicine
Botond Roska and José-Alain Sahel have been awarded the Wolf Prize in Medicine for their pioneering work on restoring vision to blind patients using optogenetic therapy. More
New study provides novel insight into molecular mechanisms regulating neural stem cell fate (Taylor Lab)
Adult murine brains and their neural stem cells (NSCs) from the hippocampus are thoroughly guided to either renew themselves or differentiate into neurons and astrocytes. However, unlike NSCs from the subventricular zone, they do not generate oligodendrocytes in adulthood. More
Perfect balance: How the brain fine-tunes its sensitivity
A sensitive perception of the environment is crucial for guiding our behavior. However, an overly sensitive response of the brain’s neural circuits to stimuli can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy. University of Basel researchers report in the journal Nature how neuronal networks in the mouse brain are fine-tuned. More
Neighboring synapses shape learning and memory
A researcher at the University of Basel, in collaboration with a colleague in Austria, has developed a new model that provides a holistic view on how our brain manages to learn quickly and forms stable, long-lasting memories. Their study sheds light on the crucial role of interactions among neighboring contact sites of nerve cells for brain plasticity – the brain’s ability to adapt to new experiences.
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Sleep-wake rhythm: Fish change our understanding of sleep regulation
Contrary to common belief, not all vertebrates regulate their sleep-wake rhythm in the same way. University of Basel researchers have discovered that some fish – unlike humans – do not need orexin to stay awake. This molecule was thought to be necessary for normal wake and sleep rhythms in vertebrates. Humans without orexin suffer from narcolepsy.More
Surprise! – How the brain learns to deal with the unexpected
For children, the world is full of surprises. Adults, on the other hand, are much more difficult to surprise. And there are complex processes behind this apparently straightforward state of affairs. Researchers at the University of Basel have been using mice to decode how reactions to the unexpected develop in the growing brain. More