Laboratory of Cholinergic Signaling, under the guidance of Dr. Helena Janickova, focuses on understanding the complexity of acetylcholine receptors. A newly established research group study their expression and function in particular neuronal populations. Using various imaging techniques, they aim to uncover what combinations of various subtypes of acetylcholine receptors are expressed in specific neurons and what their subcellular localization and trafficking in these neurons is in vivo. Then, using targeted genetic approaches, they alter the expression of the receptors in different neuronal types in order to determine how these alterations can affect the function of the neuron and most importantly, the behavior of the whole organism. The ultimate goal of the research group is to explore and exploit the great complexity of acetylcholine receptors to pave the way toward new, more safe and efficient therapeutic approaches.
