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WELCOME TO ZUO'S LABORATORY The nervous system is made up of two classes of cells: neurons and glia. Despite the fact that glia constitute the majority of cells in the nervous system, their roles in the organization and plasticity of neural circuitry have only begun to be understood. Our lab is interested in how synapse formation and plasticity are affected by glia-neuron contact and interaction. Taking advantage of modern optic imaging as well as transgenic mice expressing fluorescent proteins in neuronal and glial structure, we were able to image the same synapse and its glial component over extended period of time in both central and peripheral nervous system in the living mice. Vital imaging will be further combined with molecular manipulation to dissect the cellular mechanisms of glia-synapse interaction. These studies will directly contribute to our knowledge of glia-neuron communication, and more importantly how glia are involved in learning and memory. It will also provide a possible way to manipulate brain function through modulating glial signals. Moreover, since malfunctions of glia are characteristics of various neurodegenerative diseases, a better understanding of glia will lead to the potential treatment of such diseases Job Openings A postdoctoral/research associate position is available for a neuroscientist in the laboratory of Dr. Yi Zuo at University of California, Santa Cruz. Our lab is interested in studying the functions of glial cells at synapse formation and plasticity in the mammalian nervous system, using in vivo optical imaging, anatomy, molecular biology and biochemistry. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in one or more of these areas. Interested individual should send a brief statement of research interests and career goals, a CV, and the names and contacts for three references to email address zuo(at)biology.ucsc.edu, or mailing address in Contact Us. © Zuo's Laboratory