Research on Dendrites Wins 2011 Eppendorf & Science Prize

The Portuguese scientist, Tiago Branco MD PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University College London has won the 2011 Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology for his research on dendrites. His work shows how dendrites discriminate temporal input sequences and apply different integration rules depending on input location. These findings give insight on how the brain performs the computations that underlie behaviour, and suggest that even single neurons can solve complex computational tasks.

Dr Branco wrote: “Animal survival depends on the ability to analyse the environment and act upon it. This requires processing information from the outside world and using it to produce an appropriate behaviour. How does the brain do this? Information arrives at neurons in the form of synaptic input delivered to dendrites protrusions from the cell body separating the input from the output zone. My studies have shown that the properties of dendrites might be used by single neurons to integrate information and perform specific computations. In particular, I focused on the ability of dendrites to discriminate between different temporal sequences of input, a fundamental computation for successfully interacting with a dynamic environment.” Using a laser to activate synapses with precise spatial and temporal control,

Dr Branco has shown that the presence of a special type of glutamate receptor allows dendrites to efficiently discriminate multiple input sequences. This combination of electrophysiological, optical and modelling techniques has advanced our understanding of how dendritic integration contributes to single neuron computations. In his future work, Dr Branco plans to combine this approach with molecular methods to investigate the role of dendrites in  controlling animal behaviour.

Dr Axel Jahns at Eppendorf headquarters in Hamburg, said: “Sponsored jointly by Eppendorf and the journal Science, this international US$ 25,000 prize is open to scientists of 35 years of age or younger who have made outstanding contributions to neurobiological research using molecular and cell biology  methods.” Dr Branco was selected as the tenth winner of the prize by a committee of distinguished scientists chaired  by Dr Peter Stern, Senior Editor of Science.

Dr Branco was awarded the Prize at a special anniversary gala dinner for  over 80 guests held at the AAAS/Science Headquarters in Washington D.C. on November 13, 2011. The next deadline  for applications for the Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology is June 15, 2012. For more information about Dr  Branco and the Prize, visit www.eppendorf.com/prize.