Seminar: Molecular and chemical interrogation of the surface signaling in the brain — From light-gated signaling to cancer

How neurons translate external stimuli into intricate information is a pivotal question in neuroscience. My research focuses on exploring the role of cell-surface proteins in neuronal signaling. In this presentation, I will first describe the structural and molecular mechanisms of light-gated ion channels, which are vital for the precise control of neuronal activity. Next, I will present my work on understanding the unconventional K+-selectivity within light-gated signaling proteins, which are promising approaches of inhibitory modulation. Thirdly, I will discuss my efforts in developing genetic methods to fine-tune the biophysical properties of neuronal membranes through a combination of chemical and molecular engineering. Finally, I will highlight the recent discovery of cell-surface pathways in pediatric brain cancer cells that are responsible for activity-driven brain cancer growth. Taken together, these works represent advancements in our understanding of cell surface neurobiology, addressing both basic and clinical aspects.