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A stronger neighbor makes you stronger. An investigation of the behavioral effects of heterosynaptic LTP

PhD defence, Wednesday 31 August 2022, Islam Faress.

Islam Faress

During his Ph.D. Islam Faress investigated the behavioral relevance of Homosynaptic and Heterosynaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) in mice. Optogenetics was utilized to achieve input specific strengthening of synaptic connection and to ensure high spatiotemporal induction and testing of associative behavior. To carry out independent convergent input manipulation, Islam Faress developed a novel optogenetics method that was also used to confirm the behavioral findings with in vivo electrophysiology. Together the findings that Islam Faress acquired in his Ph.D. are considered to be the first validation of the relationship between heterosynaptic LTP and associative behavior. 

The PhD study was completed at MBG DANDRITE, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Wednesday, 31th of August 2022 at 2:30 PM
Place: Building 1253, room 211, Merete Barker Hall, Søauditorierne, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of PhD thesis: Behavioural Investigation of Homosynaptic and Heterosynaptic LTP in the Amygdala. 
Contact information: Islam Faress, e-mail: Islam.faress@biomed.au.dk, tel.: +45 91874911

Members of the assessment committee:

  • Professor Cheng-Chang Lien, Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan 
  • Professor Sumantra Chattarji, Faculty of Neurobiology, The National Centre for Biological Sciences, India 
  • Professor Finn Skou Pedersen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University (chair) Denmark

Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Sadegh Nabavi MBG Nat, Aarhus University, Denmark 

Co-supervisor:
Associate Professor Duda Kvitsiani MBG Nat, Aarhus University, Denmark 

Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English. The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Natural Sciences/GSNS, Jens Baggesens Vej 53, building 5221, 8200 Aarhus N.