Deciphering the role of Yap1 in the life-long homeostasis of hippocampal neural stem cells (A05)

• Subject Area: Experimental and Theoretical Network Neuroscience ; Developmental Neurobiology
• Term: since 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 221828878

Integration of new neurons into a pre-existing neural circuit is a major challenge to network homeostasis. We will now unravel the molecular mechanisms downstream of Yap1, which we identified as a key modulator of neural stem cell (NSC) fate and homeostatic control of NSC population in the adult hippocampal neurogenic niche. To do so, we will characterize NSC self-renewal ability and transcriptional and epigenetic changes in Yap1 loss- or gain-of-function models, and will also analyze Yap1 activity during aging, as its likely decrease could underlie the reduced proportion of active NSCs over time.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1080: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Neural Homeostasis
• Applicant Institution: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Benedikt Berninger; Professor Dr. Albrecht Stroh, until 12/2016; Privatdozent Dr. Vijay Tiwari, until 12/2018