We investigate the molecular machinery underlying synaptic plasticity and information processing in the brain. We are especially interested in synaptic mechanisms supporting reinforcement learning and motor control. Our main approaches include mouse genetics, fly genetics, optogenetics, animal learning paradigms, electrophysiology, molecular biology and RNA-seq.
Erasing "bad memories": reversing aberrant synaptic plasticity as therapy for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Erasing "bad memories": reversing aberrant synaptic plasticity as therapy for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Mol Psychiatry. 2025 Apr 10.
PMID: 40210977
Genetic vitamin B6 deficiency and alcohol interaction in behavior and metabolism.
Genetic vitamin B6 deficiency and alcohol interaction in behavior and metabolism. bioRxiv. 2025 Mar 07.
PMID: 40093095
YTHDF1 mediates translational control by m6A mRNA methylation in adaptation to environmental challenges.
YTHDF1 mediates translational control by m6A mRNA methylation in adaptation to environmental challenges. bioRxiv. 2024 Aug 09.
PMID: 39149343
m6A RNA methylation regulates mitochondrial function.
m6A RNA methylation regulates mitochondrial function. Hum Mol Genet. 2024 05 18; 33(11):969-980.
PMID: 38483349
FMRP phosphorylation modulates neuronal translation through YTHDF1.
FMRP phosphorylation modulates neuronal translation through YTHDF1. Mol Cell. 2023 Dec 07; 83(23):4304-4317.e8.
PMID: 37949069
Trapping of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Ligands Assayed by In Vitro Cellular Studies and In Vivo PET Imaging.
Trapping of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Ligands Assayed by In Vitro Cellular Studies and In Vivo PET Imaging. J Neurosci. 2023 01 04; 43(1):2-13.
PMID: 36028313
Drosophila carrying epilepsy-associated variants in the vitamin B6 metabolism gene PNPO display allele- and diet-dependent phenotypes.
Drosophila carrying epilepsy-associated variants in the vitamin B6 metabolism gene PNPO display allele- and diet-dependent phenotypes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 03 01; 119(9).
PMID: 35217610
RNA-binding protein syncrip regulates starvation-induced hyperactivity in adult Drosophila.
RNA-binding protein syncrip regulates starvation-induced hyperactivity in adult Drosophila. PLoS Genet. 2021 02; 17(2):e1009396.
PMID: 33617535
Pyridox (am) ine 5'-phosphate oxidase deficiency induces seizures in Drosophila melanogaster.
Chi W, Iyengar ASR, Albersen M, Bosma M, Verhoeven-Duif NM, Wu CF, Zhuang X. Pyridox (am) ine 5'-phosphate oxidase deficiency induces seizures in Drosophila melanogaster. Hum Mol Genet. 2019 09 15; 28(18):3126-3136.
PMID: 31261385
Mettl14 Is Essential for Epitranscriptomic Regulation of Striatal Function and Learning.
Mettl14 Is Essential for Epitranscriptomic Regulation of Striatal Function and Learning. Neuron. 2018 07 25; 99(2):283-292.e5.
PMID: 30056831