Christiana Kontaxi

Christina Kontaxi's biography and research focus.

Miss Christiana Kontaxi

PhD Student - Cousin Lab

• Hugh Robson Building
• George Square
• EH8 9XD

Contact details

• Email: s1796726@ed.ac.uk
• Web: Cousin Research Group

Research

In presynaptic terminals, synaptic vesicle recycling occurs via two main modes, clathrin-mediated endocytosis and activity-dependent bulk endocytosis. Deficits in synaptic vesicle recycling have been related to a range of neurodevelopmental disorders. My research is focused on the presynaptic dysfunction associated with CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD). Mutations in the CDKL5 gene cause early-onset epileptic seizures and severe neurodevelopmental impairment. CDKL5 is a serine/threonine kinase expressed throughout the neuron in the central nervous system. We want to understand the involvement of CDKL5 in the synaptic vesicle recycling pathways and investigate possible presynaptic molecular mechanisms contributing to CDD. This knowledge will help us to highlight novel putative pathways for molecular/pharmacological intervention.