Brain and Muscle Energy
We are investigating the brains need of energy for synaptic transmission.
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About the group
The function of both brain and muscle depends crucially on their energy supply. Most brain energy is used on electrical signalling, along and between neurons. In the brain, neurons contact each other at synapses. A synapse consists of a presynaptic terminal and a postsynaptic dendrite separated by a 20 nm wide synaptic cleft. Glial cells, the astrocytes tightly surround the synapse.
Information transmission at synapses is based on ion influx into the postsynaptic cell. The ions that enter must later be pumped out, consuming energy. We use immunogold electron microscopy to localize molecules, such as monocarboxylate transporters, glutamate transporters, glutamate and GABA receptors that mediate ion movements, terminates synaptic transmission and provide energy to the cells.