The primary goal of the laboratory is to better understand the underlying neuronal circuitry of the hippocampus, in particular the cellular interface between the areas Dentate Gyrus and CA3. The anatomical structure of the hippocampus is evolutionarily preserved among mammalian species including human and rodents and this cortical area plays similar and crucial role in certain learning and memory functions. The interaction of neuronal activities in the CA3 area of the hippocampus provided by mossy fibres (the axon of dentate gyrus granule cells) and auto-associative networks of local pyramidal cells is essential in the ability to distinguish novel situations from previously acquired memories. The mossy fibres introduce certain novel information about the environment in the CA3 network, and this incoming excitation is correlated with previously acquired memories that are represented by the interconnected synaptic network of local pyramidal cells. In the following years the laboratory will focus on the cellular mechanisms of this interaction using various techniques. For example, we obtain simultaneous recordings from presynaptic mossy fibre terminals and synaptically coupled CA3 neurons which are identified with post hoc immunohistochemistry and morphological analysis. This method allows the direct study of monosynaptic connections between distant dentate gyrus granule cells and CA3 neurons, and thus, offers novel opportunities to better understand the neuronal circuitry of the hippocampus.

The laboratory of cellular neuropharmacology started its operation in July 1^st 2009. A new position was created after the institute joined the Network of the European Neuroscience Institutes (ENI-Network). The new group leader was selected by the institute following an international competition.

The current projects of the laboratory are funded by two major sources: the International Senior Research Fellowship from the Wellcome Trust provide approximately 844000 Euros for five years, and the “Lendulet” Young Investigator Program from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences granted 184 million Hungarian Forint also for the next five years.

Applications for PhD student- and postdoctoral fellow positions are always welcomed.