VU University

Prof. Dr. Guus Smit
De Boelelaan 1085
1081 HV Amsterdam
The Netherlands

The Department of Molecular & Cellular Neurobiology is part of the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR). The Center was founded jointly by the VU University Amsterdam and the VU University Medical Center. At the CNCR, neurobiologists, clinical and preclinical neuroscientists and psychologists collaborate to contribute to the development of a integrative neural science, rooted in molecular biology and genetics and extending all the way to behaviour and cognition in health and disease.

In 2001 the Smit and Sixma(partner 2) laboratories published the structure and function of the Acetylcholine binding protein (AChBP). This protein is a structural homologue of the extracellular domain of the Cys-loop receptor family. The Smit laboratory studies the Acetylcholine binding proteins in order to investigate the underlying mechanisms of ligand binding and subunit assembly. This work involves mutational analyses and subsequent large-scale protein production that connects to ligand design and screening (partner 17) and to X-ray crystallography of the ligand-bound complexes (partner 2). In addition the Smit laboratory has a profound interest in the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain. In the context of Neurocypres the proteomics analysis of nAChR subunit composition and receptor associated proteins (with partner 13). Next partner >