Objective Neurons are specialized cells with polarized morphology. Efficient function dictates that the molecular events crucial for synaptic communication are not centralized at the cell body but distributed to individual subcellular compartments - dendrites, dendritic spines, axons, presynaptic terminals. Local protein synthesis in dendrites is one such mechanism that plays a significant role in synaptic plasticity and memory. However, little is known on how the high-energy demands of local protein synthesis are met at dendrites and spines.Mitochondria the 'energy houses' of cells, are found in great abundance in neurons. Mitochondria are associated with: nuclear-encoded messenger RNAs for local translation of great majority of mitochondrial proteins; non-coding RNAs for translational regulation of its protein abundance. To meet the local energy demands of protein synthesis, it is likely that mitochondria compartmentalize at dendritic regions and undergo dynamic changes in their proteome and transcriptome. My research project aims at elucidating the dynamics of mitochondria during high-energy demands of local protein synthesis. I will be performing experiments to examine mitochondrial compartmentalization in dendrites. Since simple fluorescence time-lapse imaging is not sensitive enough to visualize mitochondrial dynamics, I will use state-of-the-art imaging tools available in Dr. Erin Schuman’s lab for my experiments. I will also exploit the special neuron culture platforms, Microfluidic chambers, co-invented in the Schuman lab, for this purpose. In addition, I will be performing proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of mitochondria isolated from somata and neurites. To this end, I will use the shared protein mass spectometry facility of the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research and Biophysics for mitochondrial proteomics and the advanced RNA sequencing techniques employed in the Schuman group for mitochondrial transcriptomics. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsproteomicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopysuper resolution microscopynatural sciencesbiological sciencescell biologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNA Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2014-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV Net EU contribution € 159 460,80 Address HOFGARTENSTRASSE 8 80539 Munchen Germany See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 159 460,80