Local Protein Synthesis in Neuronal Dendrites and Its Role in Synaptic Plasticity and Memory

Abstract

"The biological basis of memory formation and the molecular processes which regulate it is a rapidly developing, modern topic of neuroscience research. Though many questions remain unanswered, locally synthesized proteins have been identified as a mechanism of interest. These proteins, manufactured directly in the dendrites of neurons, present the unique advantage of rapid decentralized stimulus response. As such, a proposed link exists between locally synthesized proteins and synaptic plasticity. With biophysical changes at neuronal synapses hypothesized to facilitate memory encoding, a rough biological pathway forms by which locally synthesized proteins mediate memory formation. My project aims to reinterpret this research into a more engaging, digestible format with the intention of promoting a bridge between the scientific community and the public. The research project I submitted represents a fraction of the biological pathway investigated; the completed project would showcase the pathway in its entirely, available as a public, interactive digital resource. "