Mitochondrial dynamics, neuronal cell biology.

The research interests of the Schwarz lab are centered on the use of genetics to probe the cell biology of the nervous system. They use Drosophila, mouse, and rat neurons to investigate such topics as 1) the mechanism by which PINK1 and Parkin control mitochondrial movement and clearance in neurons, and the relevance of those processes to Parkinson’s disease; 2) how neurotransmitters are secreted at synapses; 3) the manner in which membrane organelles are moved along axons; and 4) the mechanism by which a synapse forms initially and subsequently grows. Projects typically begin with a genetic approach, but also include electrophysiological, biochemical, and cell biological methods for characterizing mutants and proteins. These investigations, though focused on basic mechanisms, are relevant to the pathology of developmental disorders of the brain and to neurodegeneration.