NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH SEARCH THIS SITE

Transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illness through research DIVISION OF INTRAMURAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS

Principal Investigators Barry B. Kaplan, Ph.D.   Dr. Kaplan received his B.A. and M.S. degrees from Hofstra University and his Ph.D. degree in cellular and developmental biology from Cornell University. After completing postdoctoral training in molecular neurobiology at the Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California, he joined the faculty of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology of the Cornell University Medical College. In 1983, he moved to the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he became Director of the Molecular Neurobiology and Genetics Program. In 1996, he relocated to the NIMH as Associate Director of Fellowship Training in the Division of Intramural Research. Dr. Kaplan’s laboratory is studying the subcellular compartmentation of neuronal gene expression. Research Interests The Section on Neurobiology is studying the subcellular compartmentation of neuronal gene expression. The goal of this laboratory is to delineate the composition, trafficking, and function of the mRNA populations present in the axon and presynaptic nerve terminal. The role played by micro RNAs in the regulation of the local protein synthetic systems is also being investigated. Our studies employ primary sympathetic neurons cultured in Campenot multicompartment chambers as a model mammalian neuronal system. It is hypothesized that key elements of the cytomatrix, axon transport system, translation apparatus, and proteins needed to maintain mitochondrial activity are synthesized locally in the axon, and that the local synthesis of protein plays a key role in neuronal development, regeneration and plasticity. Representative Selected Recent Publications: Hillefors M, Gioio AE, Mameza MG, Kaplan BB: Axonal viability and mitochondrial function are dependent on local protein synthesis in sympathetic neurons. Cell Molec Neurobiol, 2007; 27: 701-716. Gioio AE, Lavina ZS, Jurkovicova D, Zhang H, Eyman M, Giuditta A, Kaplan BB: Nerve terminals of squid photoreceptor neurons contain a heterogeneous population of mRNAs and translate a transfected reporter mRNA. European Journal of Neuroscience, 20: 865-872, 2004. (View PDF) Address:   Phone: 301-451-4512 Email Dr. Kaplan Fax: 301-594-3189 Lab Web Site: No website available     Principal Investigators Scientists & Clinicians DIRP Labs and Branches DIRP Research Areas Staff Scientists/Clinicians Office of the Scientific Director Site Map Participate in Research Contact Us Careers in Research What’s New Functional MRI Core Magnetic Resonance Core Magnetoencephalography Core Microarray Core Non-Human Primate Core Scientific and Statistical Computing Core Transgenic Core Veterinary Medicine Resources (Staff only) Office of the Scientific Director Office of the Clinical Director Office of Fellowship Training Office of Technology Transfer Administrative Services Branch Administrative Services

This page was last updated January 13, 2009   Site Map Subscribe Staff Directories Contact NIMH DIRP Employment Opportunities Copyright Policies FOIA

The Division of Intramural Research Programs is within the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is a part the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.