Programme of Molecular Neurobiology

Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki

Director: Professor Heikki Rauvala
tel. +358 9 1915 9064
fax  +358 9 191 59068
heikki.rauvala(at)helsinki.fi

Centre of Excellence Homepage

The research programme deals with the formation of neural connections during development and their modulation in an adult (plasticity). Formation of neuronal connections during development underlies the functional neural networks of the adult. On the other hand, plastic changes in the adult involve similar mechanisms as the cell interactions that control development, and they form the basis for many important nervous system functions, such as memory and learning. The mechanisms that control development and plasticity also play an important role in many nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, characterised by disorders of cell-to-cell communication.

The Unit has a staff of 86: eight professors, five senior researchers, 15 post-doctoral researchers, 44 academic researchers and 14 technical staff.