Bernardo Sabatini, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurobiology
Harvard Medical School
Department of Neurobiology
220 Longwood Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Telephone: 617 432-5670
Fax:617-734-7557
Email: bernardo_sabatini@hms.harvard.edu
The goals for my laboratory are to uncover mechanisms of synapse regulation in the mammalian brain and to understand how perturbations of synaptic transmission contribute to neurological diseases. Our studies utilize technology we developed to examine the biophysical, structural, and functional properties of individual synapses and dendritic spines. This is accomplished using novel microscopes that allow us to directly stimulate individual postsynaptic terminals while monitoring evoked electrical and biochemical signals. In addition, we design experiments in which cell-autonomous effects of signaling pathways are isolated and in which pre and postsynaptic effects of perturbations are clearly separated. Our research has revealed a rich set of regulatory mechanisms and cellular specializations that allow each synapse to independently control the biochemical and electrical consequences of its stimulation. Furthermore, by applying the same quantitative and rigorous analysis of synaptic transmission to the study of rodent models of human disease, we have uncovered synaptic perturbations that likely contribute to the pathogenesis of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), a common late-onset form of dementia.
For a complete listing of Bernardo Sabatini's publications on PubMed, click here.