Synapse-Microglia Signaling Mechanisms for Proteostasis

Synaptic loss is an early characteristic of neurodegenerative disease, preceding most cognitive and motor symptoms. We know relatively little about what triggers this early phase and the cellular interactions that mediate synaptic loss. Evidence has suggested a potential role for microglia in synaptic pruning, but the interplay between microglia and synapses is not well understood. This project will study interactions between synapses and microglia by developing approaches to induce synthetic synapse-microglia interactions and to visualize the functions of synapses using imaging and neurophysiological methods.