NeuroMet
Neurometabolism Research Unit
The research in NeuroMet is focused on energy and amino acid metabolism in the mammalian brain. Primary mouse cell culture systems of neurons and astrocytes from cerebral cortex or cerebellum are extensively employed. In addition, acutely isolated cortical prisms, isolated mitochondria and cell lines are applied as model systems. An array of 3H, 15N and 13C isotopes are utilized in the mapping of metabolic pathways and their regulation. HPLC and mass spectrometry are key analytical tools combined with biochemical assays, protein biochemistry, molecular biology and fluorescence-based assays and imaging techniques.
Upcoming thesis defenses:
Yasar Patruss will be defending her master's thesis on 24 September 2010 at 1 pm.
Title: Role of glutamate dehydrogenase in astrocyte energy and amino acid metabolism
List of completed PhD, M.Sc. and B.Sc. projects
Major research themes with brief summaries of selected projects:
NeuroMet will be represented at the following meetings in 2010:
41st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Neurochemistry, 6-10 March 2010, Santa Fe, NM, USA [Lasse will give a talk entitled Glucose utilization is seminal for glutamatergic neurons during synaptic activity. Linea will be presenting a poster on astrocytic glycogen metabolism]
9th International Conference on Brain Energy Metabolism, 7-10 July 2010, Budapest, Hungary [Helle and Lasse will be chairing sessions]
Gordon Research Conference on Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, 22-27 August 2010, Proctor Academy, Andover, NH, USA [Helle will give a talk on brain energy metabolism]
Recent Publications:
2010
Walls A. B., Eyjolfsson E. M., Smeland O. B., Nilsen L. H., Schousboe I., Schousboe A., Sonnewald U., Waagepetersen H. S. (2010) Knockout of GAD65 has major impact on synaptic GABA synthesized from astrocyte-derived glutamine. J. Cereb. Blood Flow Metab. In Press
Sunol C., Babot Z., Cristofol R., Sonnewald U., Waagepetersen H. S., Schousboe A. (2010) A possible role of the non-GAT1 GABA transporters in transfer of GABA from GABAergic to glutamatergic neurons in mouse cerebellar neuronal cultures. Neurochem. Res. In Press
Leke R., Bak L. K., Anker M., Melø T. M., Sørensen M., Keiding S., Vilstrup H., Ott P., Portela L. V., Sonnewald U., Schousboe A., Waagepetersen H. S. (2010) Detoxification of ammonia in mouse cortical GABAergic cell cultures increases neuronal oxidative metabolism and reveals an emerging role for release of glucose-derived alanine. Neurotox. Res. In press
Sickmann H. M., Waagepetersen H. S., Schousboe A., Benie A. J., Bouman S. D. (2010) Obesity and type 2 diabetes in rats are associated with altered brain glycogen and amino acid homeostasis. J. Cereb. Blood Flow Metab. In press
Schousboe A., Sickmann H. M., Walls A. B., Bak, L. K., Waagepetersen H. S. (2010) Functional importance of the astrocytic glycogen-shunt and glycolysis for maintenance of an intact intra/extracellular glutamate gradient. Neurotox. Res. 18(1):94-9
Group members
Helle S. Waagepetersen, professor (Head of Unit), Ph.D.
Arne Schousboe, professor, D.Sc.
Lasse K. Bak, associate professor, Ph.D.
Karsten K. Madsen, post doc., Ph.D.
Anne B. Walls, Ph.D. student, M.Sc.
Dorte Skytt, Ph.D. student, M.Sc.
Linea Obel, Ph.D. student, M.Sc.
Kamilla Pajecka, Ph.D. student, M.Sc.
Lene Vigh, laboratory technician
Heidi Nielsen, laboratory technician
Anna Klawonn, master of science student, B.Sc.
Sevan Alaaal Din Faek, master of science student, B.Sc.
Farah S. Jajo, master of science student, B.Sc.
Yasar Patruss, master of science student, B.Sc.
Current funding
Photo gallery
Instrumentation
Last update: 02.08.2010
University of Copenhagen
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Universitetsparken 2
2100 Copenhagen
Denmark
Phone +45 35 33 60 00
Fax +45 35 33 60 01
Mail farma@farma.ku.dk
Web www.farma.ku.dk