Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Hybrid Location: 46-3002 (Singleton Auditorium) and YouTube stream (https://youtu.be/oIT6LYEPXDA)   

Speaker: Kate O'Connor-Giles, Ph.D.
Affiliation: Provost's Associate Professor of Brain Science, Carney Institute for Brain Science and Neuroscience Department, Brown University

Host: Dr. Troy Littleton

Talk title: Genes and their regulation in synapse formation and function
Abstract: Nervous system function requires the integration of diverse neuronal subtypes into the neural circuits that drive thought and behavior. Diverse neuronal fates are specified during development through genetic programs that are the subject of intense study. Despite extensive diversity, all neurons share key features such as chemical synapses. However, it remains largely unknown how gene expression is coordinated to regulate the development of synapses. Our data indicates that synaptic synaptic gene expression is positively and negatively regulated at the level of chromatin accessibility over development. I will present our identification of a gene regulatory network underlying coordinated synaptic gene expression and synapse formation.