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AIAS Fellows' Seminar: Magnus Kjærgaard

How can a cooked noodle store memories? The role of disordered proteins in synaptic plasticity.

2016.08.29 | Anders Esager

Date Mon 10 Oct
Time 14:15 16:15
Location The AIAS Auditorium, Building 1632, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 6B, 8000 Aarhus C

Abstract

Our personalities and all of our rich mental life arise from approximately 1,5kg gooey tissue that make up our brain. Decades of research have shown that there is nothing magical about the brain, and that it is composed of the same kinds of molecules as the rest of our bodies. But how, can memories, personalities and consciousness arise from inanimate matter? The connections between neurons called synapses play a key role, and I will describe our current understanding of how memories are stored. Finally, I will describe my current research into the mechanisms by which proteins in the receiving part of the synapse orchestrate this process.

Short Bio

Magnus is a molecular biologist specialising in the biophysics of flexible proteins. His research focus on describing the intra-cellular signalling complexes in the post-synaptic density. Before joining AIAS, Magnus was a postdoc at the University of Cambridge and did his PhD at the University of Copenhagen.

 


What is a Fellows' Seminar?

The AIAS Fellows' Seminar is a session of seminars held by the AIAS fellow or by other speakers proposed by the fellows. In each seminar, one fellow will present and discuss his/her current research and research project, closing off with a question and discussion session.

All seminars are held in English and open to the public. Registration to the seminar is not necessary. Read more about the AIAS Fellows' Seminar here.

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