We are currently preparing a manuscript describing the role of protein complexes important for regulating NL2 trafficking and phospho-regulation. This research has contributed better understanding how the brain forms and maintains connections, and regulates their strength and activity. Neurological disorders that involve an altered balance of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic activity and defects in protein trafficking include epilepsy, stroke, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia and autism. Research on these diseases may thus directly benefit from the outcome of our research.Whereas the proposed action mainly comprises fundamental research, our results will add to the knowledge base that may in the longer term form the basis for the identification by the pharmaceutical and biotech sector of drugable targets in neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. Part of my data has already been disseminated via a poster presentation at scientific meetings. During the MSCA I have also actively collaborated with other research groups, leading to 1 accepted publication (H. Augustin et al, Development, 2017), and 1 to follow. The project also gave me the opportunity to extend my scientific network, particularly with the European Neuroscience community, by attending international meetings and courses, including the 5th European Synapse meeting (Bristol, UK, 2015), the 10th FENS Forum of Neuroscience (Copenhagen, Denmark, 2016), and a course in ‘Principles and applications of Fluorescence Microscopy’ (Institut Pasteur, Paris, France, 2016). Over the time course of the project I was also involved in training a next generation of scientists, including 3 MSc students and 2 BSc students. The outcome of their projects included insights into the interaction of NL2 with inhibitory scaffold proteins and the role of phosphorylation therein. Each of these students are now pursuing their own career in the life sciences, we 2 of them currently enrolled in a PhD program. Therefore this MSCA has contributed to their development and future role in research as well as the transfer of skills within the European life science community. As a public engagement activity, I have mentored a student in the In2Science program, which offers underprivileged students in their final years at high school in deprived areas the opportunity to work alongside practising scientists for a 2-week period, giving them an insight into scientific research and development. The aim of the schedule is to raise the participation of bright underprivileged young people into Science degrees at top Universities. Finally, the project has enabled me increase my transferable research skills, including but not limited to: expanding my knowledge of major questions in the field of molecular neuroscience, further experience in communicating the outcomes of my research, building collaborations, managing a multi-factorial project, and student supervision. I also obtained experience in state-of-the-art techniques and skills including Single Particle Tracking with Quantum Dots, and super resolution imaging, which, together with the network that I have built will contribute to my further career.
