Genes to Cognition Project

In a nutshell

Genes to Cognition (G2C) is a neuroscience research programme that studies genes, the brain and behaviour in an integrated manner. It is engaged in a large-scale investigation of the function of molecules found at the synapse. This is mainly focused on proteins that interact with the NMDA receptor, a receptor for the neurotransmitter, glutamate, which is required for processes of synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation (LTP). One key discovery that led to the G2C project was the characterization of a group of proteins that interact with this receptor, called the "NMDA Receptor Complex (NRC)" and the observation that dysfunctions of many of these proteins are characteristic of numerous diseases of the nervous system. The NRC contains 185 proteins, 48 of which have so far been implicated in 54 human nervous system disorders. The molecular evolution of the NRC is also an active area of research, and it has been shown that an increase in the complexity of these signaling proteins at synapses has evolved alongside the enhanced cognitive capacities of humans and other higher vertebrates.

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Scientific Strategy

The activities of the Genes to Cognition Project encompass a wide range of scientific specialisms, reflecting the diversity of information that must be integrated to advance understanding of the brain. Following from synapse proteomics experiments to identify candidate proteins for further investigation, G2C has undertaken to knock out many of these by gene targeting in mice and has established a number of high-throughput platforms for evaluating the effect of these genetic manipulations on brain function.

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StriatumNucleus in the basal ganglia of the brain Brain-derived neurotrophic factorProtein found in humans Orbitofrontal cortexRegion of the prefrontal cortex of the brain Ventral tegmental areaGroup of neurons on the floor of the midbrain Slow-wave sleepPeriod of sleep in humans and other animals Vascular endothelial growth factorProtein involved in blood vessel growth

Genes to Cognition Project

Scientific Strategy

G2Cdb: Genes to Cognition Database

G2Conline: Educational Web Site

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Scientific Strategy

Information Sharing

G2Cdb: Genes to Cognition Database

G2Conline: Educational Web Site

More in Neuroscience