University of California, Irvine, Department of Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
The main aim of my laboratory is to understand, at the molecular level,
the transmission of signals across nerve cells, a process which underlies
all brain functions. Proper understanding of the mechanisms of synaptic
transmission requires detailed knowledge of the receptors, i.e., the
proteins on which neurotransmitters act. My laboratory aims at obtaining
this knowledge by combined biochemical and electrophysiological
approaches. Much of my laboratorys present work involves a novel
technique that allows the expression in Xenopus oocytes of
functional receptors, whose structure is encoded in brain mRNAs. The
oocytes are induced to acquire the receptors that operate in the
brain by injecting them with mRNA isolated from the brains of
various animal species (including human). In this way, oocytes have been
induced to acquire many receptors and other membrane proteins of nerve
cells. Once expressed in large Xenopus oocytes (over 1 mm
diameter) the receptors and the intracellular second messengers some of
them activate, become more amenable to detailed studies.
Dr. Miledi is part of the UCI Graduate Track 1) Neurobiology and
2) Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics
within the UCI graduate Program in Molecular
Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry. Applications requests or
additional information about the graduate program may be obtained by
electronic mail at gp-mbgb@uci.edu or by phone at (949) 824-8145.
On-line applications may also be submitted through the Office of
Research and Graduate Studies.
1) Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry
2) Email: gp-mbgb@uci.edu or call (949) 824-8145
3) Graduate Studies Home Page, with links to On-line applications and the
Office of Research and Graduate Studies
To update this Web page, please contact Einstein@uci.edu
