Cellular&Molecular Research

Molecular Neuroscience aims to understand nervous system function at the level of individual molecules and regulated complexes; prominent approaches utilize structural biology, genetics, recombinant DNA methodology, biochemistry, proteomics and bioinformatics.

Cellular Neuroscience works at the level of the basic biological unit, the cell; signal transduction cascades, membrane biogenesis and function, ion channel structure and function and intracellular trafficking of RNA and protein are forefront areas of investigation, often using sophisticated microscopic and imaging techniques. Although both of these disciplines tend their nature to be reductionist in philosophy, there is a continuing trend to the study of the integrative nature of molecular and cellular events. The Department of Neuroscience at the University of Connecticut Health Center has a strong and growing commitment to this approach to neuroscience, as indicated by the research interests of the faculty listed below. In addition, there is pervasive strength in molecular and cellular science in many other departments throughout the Health Center, including the Departments of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Psychiatry.