Kröger Group

The research group of Prof. Dr. Stephan Kröger examines the molecular basis of synapse formation in the brain and at the neuromuscular junction. Specifically, we investigate how synaptic connections are generated, maintained and how they change under pathological conditions. A key organizer of synapse formation at the neuromuscular junction is the extracellular matrix protein AGRIN. Agrin induces the formation and maintenance of most if not all postsynaptic specializations (including aggregates containing the AChR and many other proteins) and is also required for the transformation of a highly motile growth cone into a stable presynaptic terminal. Our work on synaptogenesis in the CNS is based on the hypothesis that agrin plays similar roles in the developing brain and during plastic changes at adult interneuronal synapses.

In our analyses of the molecular basis of muscle spindle function and development, we concentrate on murine models for neuromuscular diseases, including those for different forms of muscular dystrophy and for Pompe disease and on the pharmacological perturbation of muscle spindle function for example by muscle relaxants.

In our experiments, we use biochemical, cell biological, molecular biological, electrophysiological and behavioral methods as well as confocal microscopy.

consultation hours: Thursday 13 - 14 hr; room N.C 03.009
BioMedical Center - BMC
Großhaderner Str. 9
D-82152 Planegg-Martinsried

For additional information see:  www.stephan-kroeger.de