Natali Chanaday

Presidential Assistant Professor

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215-898-8725
Natali.Chanaday@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu

778 Clinical Research Building

415 Curie Boulevard

Philadelphia, PA 19104

Research Description

We are curious about how neurons communicate. Neurons transfer information extremely rapidly (in milliseconds!) via contacts called synapses. At synapses, small molecules, neurotransmitters, are released via the regulated exocytosis of synaptic vesicles from the presynaptic terminal. Neurotransmitters then bind to specific ionotropic and metabotropic receptors at the postsynaptic membrane and trigger electrical and chemical signals in the downstream neuron, thus passing on the information along the network. We use molecular and pharmacological tools combined with live fluorescence imaging (microscopy) and electrophysiology of cultured neurons to investigate how neurotransmitter release is modulated and how synaptic vesicles are recycled. We are particularly interested in trafficking mechanisms of synaptic vesicle molecules and atypical calcium sources that have the potential to set basal neuron properties and shape the type of information neurons can transfer.  

We are also investigating novel forms of neuronal communication, specifically via the release of extracellular vesicles. These secreted vesicles carry neuronal proteins that can change the physiology of the target neuron that incorporates them and have a great potential for targeted delivery of molecules. Our goal is to understand the molecular mechanism of formation, secretion, and incorporation of these neuronal extracellular vesicles and their effects on neurotransmission. 

 

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DEGREES & EDUCATION

BS (Chemistry), Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Argentina, 2009 

 

PhD (Chemistry), Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Argentina, 2015 

HONORS & AWARDS

NARSAD Young Investigator Grant, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (2020-2022) 

OTHER PERELMAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AFFILIATIONS

Cell Biology, Physiology, and Metabolism Graduate Group

 

Neuroscience Graduate Group

 

Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group

Recent Publications
June 30, 2021
Synaptobrevin-2 dependent regulation of single synaptic vesicle endocytosis
Natali L. Chanaday, Ph.D.
Chanaday NL, Kavalali ET - DOI: 10.1091/mbc.E21-04-0213
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April 14, 2022
Probing the segregation of evoked and spontaneous neurotransmission via photobleaching and recovery of a fluorescent glutamate sensor
Natali L. Chanaday, Ph.D.
Wang, C. S., Chanaday, N. L., Monteggia, L. M., & Kavalali, E. T. - https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.76008
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April 5, 2022
Role of the endoplasmic reticulum in synaptic transmission
Natali L. Chanaday, Ph.D.
Natali L Chanaday, Ege T Kavalali - DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102538
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