Information transfer in the brain occurs at synapses where chemical transmitters are released from presynaptic terminals and are received by postsynaptic receptors. Glutamate is a major neurotransmitter and glutamate receptors are key to synaptic transmission and plasticity. Our research focuses on these receptors, in particular on the AMPA-type (AMPAR). AMPARs are the first to respond to glutamate and initiate synaptic signaling by depolarizing the postsynaptic membrane. AMPARs are unique as their rapid kinetics permit faithful decoding of high-frequency nerve impulses. Moreover, AMPAR are mobile and their trafficking is a major determinant of synaptic plasticity. Our ultimate aim is to understand how regulation of these receptors underlies learning and information storage at synapses. Towards this goal we are utilizing a variety of experimental approaches at different levels of complexity, ranging from the atomic structure of the receptor to its operation in neural networks.
