Research

Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) is quickly and transiently activated in response to neuronal activity. Its main mechanism of action is endocytosis of AMPA receptors (AMPAR), and it plays an integral role in memory, behavioral plasticity, and synaptic plasticity.

Image from Okuno et al, 2012, Cell.

I inject CRISPR-based viruses into the brains of mice. Arc is expressed in many vertebrates, so mice are a good model system that translates well to humans. With these viruses, I turn off the Arc gene in the nucleus accumbens of these mice and test their behaviors in response to cocaine.

Image made using Biorender.

Many brains diseases and conditions are affected by an improper amount of plasticity in the brain. For example, drugs of abuse lead to extremely high levels of plasticity changes that cause long-lasting, yet maladaptive, connections to be made. On the other hand, in old age our brains have too little plasticity, and memories are harder to form. If we can better understand how Arc impacts plasticity, we may be able to adjust its levels in humans to treat diseases or addictions.

Image from Biorender.

• Mouse stereotaxic surgery

• Mouse behavioral assays

• Mouse husbandry

• Immunohistochemistry (as shown above)

• Confocal microscopy

• qPCR and Western blotting