Dominik Kiser
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie
Füchsleinstraße 15
97080 Würzburg
| Phone | +49 931 20177240 |
| Fax | +49 931 20177262 |
| Dominik Kiser |
Department:
Department of Molecular Psychiatry, University of Würzburg
Project:
Title: Gen X Environment Interaction and epigenetics in Cdh13 KO mice, a mouse model for anxiety, aggression and depression.
Abstract: Our body and brain is not only responding to stressful events, but they are also adapting in order to survive in harsh and highly dangerous environments. An early life predictor of future adversities is the amount and quality of maternal care received during rearing. As a part of the adaptation during this period, long term changes in neuronal connectivity, survival and molecular composition are made within the brain. An interesting new genetic factor we would like to investigate in this context is CDH13, a member of a the calcium dependent cell adhesion protein family, which has been shown to be up regulated due to chronic stress in rodent models and affects survival of synapses in the hippocampus. Cadherins are important molecules for tissue formation, proper cell adhesion and neuronal growth. With this project, we hope to get a better insight into the function of CDH13 in the development of early life stress related disorders and vulnerabilities. On a molecular level, we will investigate methylation, RNA and protein expression changes.
Principal investigator:
Related projects/members:
Previous studies:
2006 - 2009 Bachelor Biology in Cologne (D)
http://www.biologie.uni-koeln.de/
2009 - 2012 Master Medical Biology in Nijmegen (NL)
http://www.ru.nl/masters/programme/medical-sciences/medical-biology/
Master Thesis:
1. Thesis: Serotonin transporter genetic variance in rats affects severity of early cocaine withdrawal induced anxiety and expression of plasticity and stress related genes in the amygdala.
2. Thesis: Effects of chronic variable mild stress on the ventral tegmental and the substantia nigra.
1. Literature thesis: Serotonin and social behavior
2. Literature thesis: Maternal stress, Predictive Adaptive Response, Epigenetics
Publications:
Dominik Kiser, Ben Steemers, Igor Branchi, Judith R. Homberg (2012). The reciprocal interaction between serotonin and social behaviour. Neuroscience & Biobehaviroal Reviews, Volume 36, Issue 2, February 2012, Pages 786–798.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763411002168
