Cell type-specific translation profiling in fragile X

Chancellor’s Fellow, Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh
Dr Osterweil’s research questions are being investigated in multiple neural circuits using biochemical, electrophysiological and systems-level approaches.

Current projects include:
Determining the role of NMDA receptors in local protein synthesis
Tracking cell type specific changes in translation during plasticity using cell type-specific Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification and RNA-seq
Investigating the translation control pathways linked to different postsynaptic receptors
Exploring the role of protein turnover in synaptic plasticity​

Dr Osterweil’s group are studying these basic biological questions using animal models of fragile X syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. It is their belief that identifying the mechanisms that go awry in these models will simultaneously address fundamental questions of synaptic function, and provide a better understanding of autism and ID.