Welcome to the basorth lab

Our brains and nerve cells are not etched in stone, but instead are constantly being shaped by our sensory and cognitive experience. On a molecular level, synaptic activity drives changes in neuronal gene expression that are required for long-lasting adaptations of neuronal structure and function. These adaptations include – among others – synaptic plasticity, structural remodeling, and acquired neuroprotection.
Our research focuses on a particular form of neuronal adaption, namely metabolic plasticity. We are interested in understanding how activity-dependent gene transcription controls neuronal energy metabolism and how this renders mitochondria more resistant to stressful conditions. In addition, we are investigating how metabolic plasticity is disturbed during aging and in neurological disease. To address these questions, we are using a combination of molecular biology, biochemistry and multiparametric live imaging in primary hippocampal neurons, organotypic hippocampal slice cultures, and mouse brain.

The basorth lab is located at the Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy of Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany. We are part of the Interdisciplinary Center for Neuroscience Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main Neuroscience Network.