Bert Sakmann

We are interested in the mechanisms of signaling within and between nerve cells. The research concerns cellular and molecular mechanisms mediating electrical and chemical signaling within single neurons and between neurons via synaptic connections in the mammalian central nervous system. We use experimental techniques such as voltage clamp, patch clamp, optical imaging, and gene targeting. The short-term goal is to elucidate the role of calcium transients in nerve terminals and dendrites of cortical neurons in the induction of changes in the efficacy of synaptic connections. In the long term, we want to elucidate the cellular and molecular nature of cortical columns and functional maps of the cortex.