Research Interests - Dr. Rebecca Kohn

Questions pertaining to the function of the nervous system in the small worm C. elegans are studied. Specifically, we are trying to understand how neurons regulate the release of neurotransmitters into synapses. Neurotransmitters allow a signal to be sent from one neuron to another neuron or to a muscle. If the release of neurotransmitters is not regulated properly, then C. elegans can have difficulty moving or can become paralyzed. The proteins needed to regulate neurotransmitter release in C. elegans are surprisingly similar to the proteins used for the same process in humans. By studying the function of the proteins in C. elegans, we can gain insight into how our own nervous system functions.