Neurobiophysics Lab

The Laboratory of Neurobiophysics conducts research on neuro-biophysical function of individual nerve cells and their synaptic communication in some neurodegenerative diseases. The specific interest of the Laboratory is the study of ion channel biophysics of excitable membranes, in particular of the voltage-gated ion channels and ionotropic glutamate and GABA receptors.

Electrophysiological, molecular and cell biology, immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, allow you to highlight the role of membrane proteins in the cell death in neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer's disease. Recent results achieved by the Laboratory have also studied how the function of some ion channels is modified and how this altered functionality is the basis of a neuronal hyperexcitability which can induce neuronal death. Results confirm the primary role of the motor neurons of the motor cortex in the pathogenesis of ALS.