Jelena Baranovic
Lecturer in Biochemistry
- University of Edinburgh
- School of Biological Sciences
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Contact details
- Tel: 0044 (0) 1316 505 534
- Email: jelena.baranovic@ed.ac.uk
- Web: Baranovic lab web page
Address
- Street
-
King's Buildings
M. Swann Building, 3.25
Max Born Crescent - City
- Edinburgh
- Post code
- EH9 3BF
Background
2018 - present: Lecturer in Biochemistry, University of Edinburgh, School of Biological Sciences
2012-2018: Postdoctoral researcher, FMP Leibniz Institute for Molecular Pharmacology, group of Prof. Andrew J. R. Plested
2007-2012: PhD, University of Oxford, Department of Physics, group of Prof. John F. Ryan
2001-2006: Undergradute degree in Molecular Biology, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science
Early Career Reseacher Spotlight:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-018-0173-9
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2310-960X
Undergraduate teaching
Molecules, Genes and Cells 1 (lecturer, 1st year undergraduate course)
Membrane Biology (lecturer, 4th year Honours course)
Open to PhD supervision enquiries?
Yes
Research summary
Human brain contains ~100 billion neurons, which communicate through specialized communication ports called synapses. Approximately 80% of the synapses use glutamate to relay the signal from one neuron to the other, making it the most abundant neurotransmitter in the vertebrate brain and more than 50% of the brain energy is utilized on glutamatergic signalling. Once glutamate is released into the synapse, AMPA receptors are the first and the fastest proteins to bind it and get activated by it, making them one of the central players in neurotransmission. Changes in the normal behaviour of AMPA receptors can lead to severe neurological disorders, such as epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders.
This is why we want to know the inner and outer workings of these and related proteins.
We use biophysical methods to understand structure and function of AMPA receptors and how these enable them to function in the highly dynamic environment of the synapse.
Current research interests
We have currently two open projects addressing the following questions: 1) How do AMPA receptors get activated or more specifically: do all subunits contribute equally to the activation of AMPA receptors? 2) Can we utilize nature’s resources to fluorescently label native AMPA receptors in the synapse? Both projects are currently open for PhD applications. If you are interested, please email Jelena.-
AMPA receptors in the synapse: Very little space and even less time
(24 pages)
In:
Neuropharmacology, vol. 196
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108711
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Literature review (Published) -
The action of Con-ikot-ikot toxin on single AMPA-type glutamate receptors
(25 pages)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.02.19.432041
Research output: › Working paper (Published) -
Auxiliary subunits keep AMPA receptors compact during activation and desensitization
(26 pages)
In:
eLIFE, vol. 7
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.40548
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Single-Channel Recording of Glycine Receptors in Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) Cells
(6 pages)
In:
Cold Spring Harbor protocols, vol. 2016, pp. 693-698
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/pdb.prot091652
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
How to build the fastest receptor on earth
(11 pages)
In:
Biological Chemistry, vol. 397, pp. 195-205
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/hsz-2015-0182
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Review article (Published)
Natalia Szlachetka - PhD student (Biomedical AI CDT)
Chigdem Mustafa , PhD - postdoctoral fellow (Daphne Jackson Trust fellowship)
Sergio Menendez, PhD - research assisstant