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The 2020 IZN Retreat has been cancelled

What determines the identity of cells?

Scientists from the Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research and Stanford University showed in mice how so-called pioneer factors determine the identity of nerve and muscle cells. During embryonic development, these factors ensure that the various body cells can form. In laboratory experiments, pioneer factors can even be used to transform cell types, for example skin cells into nerve cells. This allows scientists to obtain specific cell types for their research.

Moritz Mall at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ, HITBR) and Qian Yi Lee at Stanford University compared two transcription factors that are structurally similar but induce completely different cell types. The factor Ascl1 can program skin cells into nerve cells, while Myod1 can convert skin cells into muscle cells.

Since transcription factors normally exert their effect by binding certain gene switches, the researchers first investigated the DNA binding sites of both factors. Although Ascl1 and Myod1 induce very different cell types, both surprisingly bind to largely overlapping recognition sequences in the mouse genome. This is true both during reprogramming and during normal cell differentiation. "For us, this was an indication that other mechanisms must be involved to ensure that only the desired genes are regulated," explains Mall. In fact, further analyses showed that despite the overlap, Ascl1 and Myod1 each attached to specific regions of the genome with stronger binding power. More...

An epigenetic factor in memory-encoding neurons improves the ability to remember

It is currently thought that memories are represented within the neurons that are activated when we acquire new information and that the retrieval of a memory requires the reactivation of this subset of neuons. The group led by Dr. Ana Oliveira now found that, increasing a protein called Dnmt3a2, that is responsible for establishing chemical marks on the DNA, specifically in hippocampal memory-encoding cells is sufficient to boost memory in mice and to modulate the precision of the reactivation of the memory-encoding cells.

The scientists trained laboratory mice in a Pavlovian-conditioning task, and labelled the cells of the hippocampus that encode the memory for that experience (around 5% of the whole hippocampus). When they increased Dnmt3a2 levels selectively in these memory-encoding cells, they observed that the mice had improved memory performance. This was associated with better reactivation of the “correct” memory-encoding cells during memory recall. Remarkably, the same protein was previously shown to restore aging-related cognitive dysfunctions, and to facilitate the erasure of traumatic memories in mice. Therefore, this study opens a new gate for future studies aimed at designing new therapeutic approaches based on targeting memory-encoding cells, to modulate the duration of memories.

Related article: Neuronal ensemble-specific DNA methylation strengthens engram stability

IZN / Chica and Heinz Schaller Young Investigator Neuroscience Award

In recognition of an outstanding first-author research publication in any aspect of neuroscience

Call for Nominations for the 2020 Award

The IZN/Chica and Heinz Schaller Young Investigator Neuroscience Award is an annual prize of 1,000 € offered by the Chica and Heinz Schaller Foundation.

31.3.2020: Submission deadline extended to 30 June 2020

Foundation BrainAid IZN Master's Award

For the best Master’s Thesis in the Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences at Heidelberg University

Call for Nominations for the 2020 Award

The Foundation BrainAid IZN Master’s Award is an annual book prize given in recognition of an outstanding Master’s Thesis in the Neurosciences.

30.3.2020: Submission deadline extended to 30 June 2020

Foundation BrainAid IZN Dissertation Award

For the best PhD Thesis in the Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences at Heidelberg University

Call for Nominations for the 2020 Award

The Foundation BrainAid IZN Dissertation Award is a prize for an outstanding PhD Thesis in the Neurosciences. The award comes with 500 € in prize money.

30.3.2020: Submission deadline extended to 30 June 2020