Balice-Gordon Lab

Lab Description

We study the cellular and molecular interactions among neurons, their targets and the surrounding glia that underlie synapse formation and function during neural development. We use neuromuscular synapses between motor neurons and muscle fibers in mice and zebrafish, and CNS synapses among rat and mouse hippocampal neurons in vitro, as relatively simple, accessible and easily manipulated model systems. We use imaging, genetic, cellular, molecular and electrophysiological approaches in our research projects.

The goal of our work is to understand the rules by which the neural circuits that underlie particular behaviors become synaptically connected during neural development, what governs the plasticity of these circuits, what goes wrong with these circuits in neurodevelopmental and other neurological disorders, and how we might design and implement effective therapeutic strategies.

Lab Contact Info

Rita Balice-Gordon, Ph.D.
Professor, Dept. of Neuroscience
Chair, Neuroscience Graduate Group
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
414 - 422 Johnson Pavilion
Office: (215) 898-1037 422 Johnson Pavilion
Main Lab: (215) 898-3575 420 Johnson Pavilion
Rig Room: (215) 746-2719 419 Johnson Pavilion
Confocal Room: 414 Johnson Pavilion
Zebrafish Room: (215) 898-0978 201 Stemmler
Fax: (215) 573-9122
Email: rbaliceg@mail.med.upenn.edu

http://www.med.upenn.edu/ins/faculty/balicego.htm
http://www.med.upenn.edu/nscience/neuro_balicego.html

This site was last updated on November 3, 2009.