We use genetic tools to identify the role of genes and their products in establishing a functional nervous system.
The Developmental Biology research group at the Institute of Life- and Environmental Sciences studies nervous system development and protein dynamics in Drosophila melanogaster and in iPS cell-derived models of human disease.
If you are interested in joining the lab, please contact Sigríður Rut Franzdóttir sirrut [at] hi.is
Research directions
Gene functional studies in the Drosophila nervous system
We study the function of novel players in neuronal development and nervous system function using the conventional tools of reverse genetics in combination with advanced microscopic techniques.
Proteostatic processes and neurodegeneration
All cells depend on efficient surveillance of proteins, from synthesis to distruction. In neurons, these processes are particularly important and failure to detect or clear misfolded or obsolete proteins can result in neurodegeneration. We are interested in the processes behind neuronal proteostasis, in particular in motor neurons, and how crosstalk between key processes such as the ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy is mediated under normal and disease-like conditions.
Modelling Citrate Transporter Deficiency in the human central nervous system
Mutations in the gene SLC13A5, which encodes a cell membrane citrate transporter, cause a rare and severe form of epilepsy in children. Why reduced citrate transport in the CNS has this effect is unknown. In this project, we study the role and function of the transporter under native and disease-like conditions in iPS-derived culture models.
Members
PhD Students
Kristín E. Allison
MS Students
Friðrik Björn Kjartansson
Kristín Gyða Hrafnkels Hlynsdóttir
Stefán Eggertsson
Former
Theresa Maria Quinkler, MS 2014
Kristín E Allison, MS 2017
Hörður Guðmundsson, Research assistant
Samantha Jeng, MS 2019
Arnar Þór Björgvinsson, MS 2020
BS students and interns present/past
Pablo Alcon 2011
Helene Nourrit 2016
Julia Reiche 2017
Robin Morabito 2017
Brynhildur Magnúsdóttir 2017
Arnar Þór Björvinsson 2017
Arnar Ingi Vilhjálmsson 2018
Katrín Rut Halldórsdóttir 2018
Kristín Gyða Hrafnkels Hlynsdóttir 2019
Stefanía Reynisdóttir 2021
Amber Declercq 2021