How neurons achieve life-long memory of their identity

Project summary

Neurons existing in many different kinds and are not renewed during our lifetime. How do neurons ensure that during this entire time they never accidentally lose their cell type identity? The researchers use microscopy, behavioral analysis and computer simulations to uncover the mechanisms that form this memory in the neurons of a simple worm.

Because the structure of the molecular networks that form this memory are conserved from worm to man, this project will also give insight into the memory of human neurons and how this is possibly perturbed in neurodegenerative disease.