Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology
How do growing tracks find their way in the brain? Which proteins are involved? What triggers neurons to sprout? Do specific proteins code specific tracks? Pasterkamp connects these fundamental neurobiological questions to the clinical and genetic research into ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) of prof. Leonard van den Berg. Using genome wide assays Van den Berg discovers genes that convey a risk for developing this neuromuscular disease. Pasterkamp tries to understand how these genes do so.
Pasterkamp grows single neurons and large parts of neuronal tissue, and uses genetically modified animal models. Fluorescence techniques allow him to follow invidual neurons or specific types of nerve cells. Biochemical tricks identify protein binding partners and possible functional relationships between proteins. Knocking out genes points to genes and proteins involved in forming tracks. Using RNAi and high throughput microscopy Pasterkamp and colleagues identify genes involved in neural sprouting.
“I think our projects are attractive for students due to the diversity of lab techniques they can get acquainted with. There’s a lot to learn! And because we’re interested in neuronal tracks from protein to organism, there’s always the possibility of moving up or down an organizational level. These projects are not just for everybody. We try to make sure students have a good time and really get into science, but it requires enthusiastic students of course.”