Konstanze Simbriger

The role of dysregulated protein synthesis in neuropsychiatric/neurodevelopmental disorders.

Contact type
Person
First name
Konstanze
Surname
Simbriger
Role
PhD Student - Gkogkas Lab
Organisation 1
Hugh Robson Building
Organisation 2
15 George Square
Organisation 3
Edinburgh, EH8 9XD
Work phone
+44 (0)131 651 1695
Email
K.Simbriger@sms.ed.ac.uk

Personal Profile

  • 2009-2011 Undergraduate Degree in Biology, Leopold Franzens Universität Innsbruck, Austria
  • 2012-2014 IST Austria, Maria Gugging, Austria
  • 2014-2015 Master in Integrative Neuroscience, The University of Edinburgh, UK
  • 2015-present PhD Biomedical Sciences (Integrative Physiology), The University of Edinburgh, UK

Research

In the lab, we study the role of dysregulated protein synthesis in neuropsychiatric/neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fragile X syndrome (FXS), and intellectual disability (ID).

FXS is caused by the loss of expression of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). FMRP is an RNA binding protein that regulates both the transport and translation of a subset of mRNAs, particularly important processes in neurons. Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is a protease that cleaves various substrates in the ECM and has been postulated to remodel synaptic connections. Furthermore, MMP-9 may cleave molecules that then can bind cell surface receptors and activate signalling pathways inside cells (e.g. integrin signalling). I study the role of MMP-9 at synapses and in the context of FXS/ASD.

Recent Publications

Amorim I., Kedia S., Kouloulia S., Simbriger K., Gantois I., Jafarnejad S., Li Y., Kampaite A., Pooters T., Romanò N., Gkogkas C.G. Loss of eIF4E phosphorylation engenders depression-like behaviors via selective mRNA translation. The Journal of Neuroscience: The official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, Jan 2018

 

 

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