Group leader: Arjen van Ooyen

Group name: Neurons and Networks

Location: Netherlands Institute for Brain Research

Web page:

E-Mail: A.van.Ooyen@nih.knaw.nl

Phone:

Relevant research interests:

Cellular and cytoskeletal mechanisms of neuronal morphogenesis

· How molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in neurite elongation and branching—the dynamics of the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons and their modulators—lead to the generation of dendritic tree morphology.

· The role of the actin and microtubule dynamics in the motility and shape changes (e.g. outgrowth and retraction of filopodia) of growth cones.

Cellular mechanisms for growth cone navigation

• Intracellular mechanisms and signaling networks underlying robust gradient detection by growth cones.
• Integration by the growth cone of multiple guidance cues, such as diffusible chemoattractants and repellents as well as cell- and substrate-bound molecules.

Homeostatic regulation of neuronal excitability

• Intracellular signaling networks underlying the homeostasis of neuronal excitability.

Current system biology activities:

• Building a simulation tool for the modeling of growing neurons and the intracellular mechanisms involved (a collaborative project with the University of Stirling, UK).
• Modeling microtubule dynamics and competitive mechanisms in neurite outgrowth.
• Phenomenological models of neurite elongation and branching.
• Modeling axon guidance and pathfinding (a collaborative project with CWI, Amsterdam).
• Experimental investigations into the role of Rho-signaling in neurite elongation and branching.

Relevant collaborations (e.g.):

Representative publications (possibly links to pdf files):