University of  Southern California

 Michel Baudry Lab

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Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Neurology and Biomedical Engineering

Education

Engineering Degree, Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, France, 1971.
Ph.D. University of Paris VII, Paris, France, 1977.

Research Projects

1. Mechanisms implicated in long-term synaptic potentiation and depression in hippocampus and other brain regions.

   My laboratory has been investigating for several years the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying LTP and LTD phenomena in adult rats and mice. We have been using a combination of electrophysiological, neurochemical and neuroanatomical techniques to study the roles of various biochemical processes in regulating short-term as well as long-term changes in synaptic efficacy.

2. Regulation of glutamate receptors.

    My laboratory has been studying post-translational mechanisms regulating the properties of the AMPA and NMDA receptors. In particular, we are investigating the mechanisms involved in the maturation, processing, insertion and internalisation of the receptors. We are also evaluating the role of calpain-mediated truncation of the C-terminal domains of certain subunits of the receptors in receptor function and regulation.

3. Role of oxygen free radicals in central nervous system.

    As a result of my association with Eukarion, Inc., a small start-up pharmaceutical company in Bedford, MA., my laboratory has been investigating the roles of oxygen free radicals in neurodegenerative phenomena. In particular, we have tested the protective effects of a new class of synthetic catalytic scavengers of reactive oxygen intermediates on neuronal damage elicited by excitotoxins, neurotoxins, ischemia, and beta-amyloid peptides.

4. Mechanisms underlying selective neuronal degeneration.

    In collaboration with Dr. Steve Schreiber, we have been interested in studying molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying selective neuronal degeneration resulting from neuronal insults or injury. In particular, we have been identifying a number of genes activated as a result of intense neuronal activity in neuronal populations selectively damaged under these conditions. Using a combination of pharmacology and selective suppression of the expression of these genes, we are evaluating their contribution to neuronal death resulting from programmed cell death or apoptosis.

Additional projects

My laboratory is also involved in several program projects:

Human Brain Project: under this program project, my laboratory is developing new tools to incorporate neurochemical/neuroanatomical data into a large Neuroscience Database. In particular, we have developed tools to analyze autoradiographic as well as immunohistochenistry images in reference to a 3D-rat brain Atlas.
Estrogen and Alzheimer's disease: under this program project, my laboratory is investigating the mechanisms underlying the potential neuroprotective of estrogen and related steroids in Alzheimer's disease.
Neural tissue/silicon chips interfaces: in collaboration with Dr. Ted Berger, my laboratory is evaluating new technologies to record/stimulate neuronal activity of large ensemble of neurons.