Transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of neuronal plasticity and its disorders

Our research focuses on molecular mechanisms that regulate neuronal gene expression and underlie learning and memory, and other long-lasting modifications of the animal’s behavior. We also aim to determine how the malfunction of epigenetic mechanisms leads to different pathological situations in the nervous system. From the methodological point of view, we are particularly interested in the application of genomic profiling techniques and epigenetic editing approaches in the nervous system. Our research focuses on the following two areas: - Role of activity-driven transccription in neuronal plasticity, learning and memory and epilepsy. - Contribution of epigenetic mechanisms to intellectual disability (ID) disorders. We investigate the pathoetiology of several neurodevelopmental disorders associated with cognitive impairments and autism, and originated by mutations in genes encoding epigenetic regulators, such as the Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome and the Claes-Jense syndrome.