Experimental Neuroscience, Neural Ageing & Neurodegeneration | Destination 3

Experimental Neuroscience, Neural Ageing & Neurodegeneration

Research Profile

Our research team at the Department of Physiology, Yeditepe University Faculty of Medicine, Türkiye, conducts experimental investigations of neural function, neural circuit dynamics, and the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying physiological processes.

Our research expertise encompasses experimental neuroscience, neurophysiology, behavioural assessment, and molecular physiology. We are particularly interested in exploring the neural mechanisms of healthy ageing and longevity, including age-related changes in sensory processing, neural plasticity, cognitive function, and neurodegeneration.

Research Expertise and Experimental Capabilities

• Neural circuit investigation and modulation: Optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches for targeted investigation and manipulation of neuronal activity and neural circuits.

• Neuronal imaging and microscopy: In vivo calcium imaging, confocal microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy for investigating neuronal activity, cellular structures, and neural circuit dynamics.

• Electrophysiological assessment: Patch-clamp and electrophysiological recording techniques to investigate neuronal excitability, ion channel function, synaptic transmission, and physiological responses.

• Experimental and behavioural assessment: Stereotaxic procedures and video-tracking-based behavioural analyses in experimental models.

• Cellular and molecular physiology: Tissue preparation, cell culture, flow cytometry, PCR/qPCR, Western blotting, and biochemical analyses to investigate cellular signalling and molecular mechanisms.

• Clinical neuroimaging: Structural MRI, functional MRI (fMRI), and PET/CT facilities at Yeditepe University Hospitals for multimodal neuroimaging and translational research.

• Experimental animal research: Access to YÜDETAM, Yeditepe University's GLP-compliant research center for toxicological testing, with transgenic animal breeding, housing, and care facilities.

Research Interests in Neural Ageing and Longevity

Our experimental capabilities offer opportunities for mechanistic investigations across several interconnected research areas:

• Healthy brain ageing and longevity: Neural and molecular mechanisms associated with the maintenance of neuronal function, neural resilience, and cognitive health throughout ageing.

• Age-related sensory changes: Physiological mechanisms of sensory system ageing, particularly visual pathways, sensory processing, and age-dependent changes in neural circuit function.

• Learning, memory, and neural plasticity: Synaptic and circuit-level mechanisms underlying learning, memory formation, adaptation, and neuroplasticity across the lifespan.

• Frailty and neurodegeneration: Neural and molecular mechanisms associated with age-related vulnerability, cognitive frailty, dementia, and neurodegenerative disorders.

• Neural responses to extreme environments: Cellular, electrophysiological, and molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal responses to altered gravity, including hypergravity and microgravity, with particular interest in neural excitability, synaptic plasticity, and neurophysiological adaptation.

Potential Contributions to Horizon Europe Consortia

Our team can contribute to experimental study design, neural circuit manipulation and recording, in vivo neuronal activity assessment, behavioural phenotyping, and cellular and molecular investigations.

These capabilities can support mechanistic research into:

• Age-dependent changes in neural circuit organization and function

• Molecular and physiological mechanisms of neural resilience and longevity

• Sensory and cognitive adaptations during healthy and pathological ageing

• Neural dysfunction and cellular mechanisms relevant to neurodegenerative diseases

• Neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity, and molecular responses to altered gravity and extreme environmental conditions

• Mechanisms of action and physiological responses associated with innovative therapeutic interventions

Collaboration Sought

We seek to join multidisciplinary Horizon Europe consortia as a research partner, contributing expertise in experimental neuroscience, neural circuit investigation, neurophysiology, behavioural assessment, and molecular research.

We welcome collaborations with universities, neuroscience laboratories, biomedical research institutes, hospitals, and translational research teams investigating healthy brain ageing, longevity, neuroplasticity, sensory function, and neurodegenerative diseases.