Johannes Hirrlinger
Assessing dynamics of brain metabolism using genetically encoded fluorescent nanosensors
Brain Dynamics Graduate School cordially invites you to a new talk within our Seminar Series:
- Prof Dr Johannes Hirrlinger
Carl Ludwig Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University &
Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen
"Assessing dynamics of brain metabolism using genetically encoded fluorescent nanosensors"
25th October 2024, 12:00
Paul Flechsig Institute - Center of Neuropathology and Brain Research, Room 3093, Liebigstraße 19 (Haus C), 04103 Leipzig
Abstract:
The metabolism of the brain is a highly complex system. While numerous metabolic pathways are active in all types of cells, some are only expressed in a subset of cells. Furthermore, metabolic processes show profound heterogeneity, not only between different types of cells, like e.g. neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and others, but also between brain regions, in local neuron-glia assemblies as well as in different subcellular compartments. Many different methods, all with their own pros and cons, can be employed to address brain metabolism. In this talk, I will focus on genetically encoded, fluorescence nanosensors, which allow assessing metabolites and their dynamics with high temporal and spatial resolution. I will discuss properties and advantages, but also limitations and challenges of this technology. This will be illustrated with data obtained in our group over the recent years, showing profound metabolic heterogeneity of astrocytes in different brain regions (cortex, hypothalamus, corpus callosum). Furthermore, a novel approach for calibration of fluorescent sensors and for quantitative analysis of metabolite concentrations in cells will be presented.