basically we are interested in 1) how microglia react to injury, b/c many studies have implicated them in creating secondary damage above and beyond an itintial injury or aggravating damage caused by disease (MS, alzheimer etc) If we can figure our how they activate, we can then try to counteract this activation so extra damage is kept to a minimum. 2) synaptogenesis: the guys are working on just exactly how two neurons without eyes or a map can find each other, decide they are good partners and create a synapse. specifically exactly HOW that synapse is created, what molecules show up first, then next etc. 3) astrocytes were thought to just be feeders and scaffolding for neurons, but recent research is pointing to a MUCH more active role in neuronal signalling, and one of the studs is looking at astrocyte morphology( shape) changes in different areas of the hippocampus thruout development. their shape is thought to relate to their function.
because i actually never had a neuroscience course during my BA or MS, everything i have learned about the brain i have learned here. I was hired b/c i got mad skills with microscissors and a scope
