Hruska

Martin Hruska, PhD

Assistant Professor

Contact

Phone
304-293-2457
Address
PO Box 9303
BMRC 319
108 Biomedical Road
Morgantown, WV 26505
Website
View Website

About Martin Hruska

https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/neuroscience/faculty-labs/martin-hruska-phd/

Positions

Assistant Professor

Organization:
West Virginia University School of Medicine
Classification:
Faculty

Assistant Professor

Organization:
West Virginia University School of Medicine
Classification:
Faculty

Education

  • PhD, University of Vermont

Publications

[2022]

[2019]

[2018]

[2015]

[2013]

[2012]

[2011]

[2010]

[2009]

[2007]

Research Program

Neuroscience

Research Interests

Synapses in the CNS are fundamental structures that regulate the information transfer in the brain and enable the brain's plasticity. By adapting their shape, size, and patterns of connectivity – known as structural plasticity, synapses modulate circuit function and the information storage in the brain. These structural changes are accompanied by modifications of the molecular composition and nano-organization of pre-synaptic and post-synaptic compartments. Plasticity decreases with aging, and defects in synaptic processing lead to learning and memory deficits linked to Alzheimer's disease.  Deciphering how the complex biology of synapses underlies normal brain function and how defects in these processes might cause neurological disorders is the long-term goal of our work. We use high resolution imaging, including the state-of-the-art Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) nanoscopy, in combination with molecular and biochemical approaches to investigate the development and plasticity of synapses in health and disease. We focus on answering the following fundamental questions:

  1. Is there a molecular code of neuronal connectivity?
  2. How do synapses change during sleep?
  3. How are synapses remodeled after injury?