BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk// X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:"\;Stability and plasticity of synapses: new concepts in the l ight of super-resolution microscopy "\; - Antoine Triller\, IBENS\, In stitut de Biologie de L'ENS\, Paris DTSTART:20160302T120000Z DTEND:20160302T130000Z UID:TALK64903@talks.cam.ac.uk CONTACT:Shannon Tinley-Browne DESCRIPTION:The efficiency and accuracy of neurotransmission strongly depe nds on two apparently antagonist properties of synaptic membrane: the stab ility of its organization and its ability to adapt to plasticity events. I n addition\, the structural stability of synapses has to be reconciled wit h the notion that cell membranes are fluid. Membrane molecules are compell ed to move within the membrane surface due to thermal Brownian agitation\, which favors the homogeneous distribution of the molecules. As a result\, neurons spend energy to stop or reduce these movements\, and maintain mol ecules in certain locations via mechanisms that decrease this fluidity. We have approached these conceptual paradoxes by developing new technologica l and analytical tools that allow the monitoring of the behavior of synapt ic components at the molecular level and change of the scale of analysis. We demonstrated rapid exchanges between synaptic and extra-synaptic recept ors and we showed that transient stabilization of receptors at synapses oc curs by interaction with partners\, such as scaffold proteins. Novel super -resolution imaging methods (PALM\, STORM) gave us a precise insight on th e organization of these postsynaptic structures. Thus combination of singl e particle tracking and super-resolution methods\, open access to molecula r counting and energy involved in receptor-scaffold interactions as well a s on and off rate of molecular interactions. Thus beyond super-resolution methods is chemistry “in cellulo” accounting for the regulation of rec eptor number and consecutively that of synaptic strength. Ultimately\, the dynamic regulations of receptor-scaffold and scaffold–scaffold interact ions appear as a central tenet for the maintenance and plasticity-related changes of receptor numbers at synapses. These processes are likely to be deregulated in pathological situations such as in neurodegenerative diseas es. LOCATION:Brain Repair Centre\, Forvie Site\, Robinson Way END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR