Local organisation of synaptic proteome

Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium

Our work is a deep dive into the cell biology of neuron and C. elegans is well suited for this: neurons are conserved in metazoan evolution; Each neuron is extremely well characterised in C. elegans and easily observed through its transparent body. Several approaches are commonly used in the lab including forward genetics, -omics, biochemistry, optogenetics, behaviour, and quantitative cell biology. Over the last few years, we generated a molecular atlas of C. elegans nervous system; We identified new and conserved genes controlling sensory functions, synaptic vesicle recycling and neuropeptide secretion; We observed ciliated sensory neurons release extracellular vesicles from their ciliated endings. In addition, we build a strong interest in understanding how neurons and circuits generate and maintain behaviour over their lifespan.

Research team webpage: https://celegans.ulb.ac.be/wordpress/