Seminar: Anis Contractor, PhD, “Correction of Synaptic and Network Alterations in Fragile X Mice”

Anis Contractor, PhD
Northwestern University

About the Speaker: Research in the Contractor laboratory is directed towards understanding the functional role of neurotransmitter receptors, particularly glutamate receptors, in mediating and modulating synaptic transmission and plasticity. The underlying goal is to relate the biophysical properties of the different glutamate receptor subtypes to their function at synaptic sites, and to understand how this influences important biological processes and behavior. Synaptic plasticity is critical to learning and memory formation and is required for the correct wiring and refinement of connections during development. Ultimately we are interested in elucidating the mechanisms by which neurotransmitter receptors are involved in synaptic plasticity, and how these processes can go awry in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Contractor earned his PhD at University College London and performed postdoctoral work with Professor Steve Heinemann at The Salk Institute. He joined Northwestern as an assistant professor in the Department of Physiology in 2004 and holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Neurobiology. He was promoted to full professor in 2017.

Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, the University of Wisconsin-Madison ICEP is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit Designation Statement:

The University of Wisconsin-Madison ICEP designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

To sign in and complete the evaluation for CME credit, go to: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1R1X7y7pJNUoW5D

For Further Information: Contact Teresa Palumbo at 608.263.5837 or palumbo@waisman.wisc.edu

The seminar series is funded by the John D. Wiley Conference Center Fund, the Friends of the Waisman Center and NIH grant U54 HD090256.