Research Areas

My research centers on synapses crucial for neuronal computations in learning and memory circuits, focusing on their molecular organization, functioning, and plasticity as well as the crucial role of Neurexins for synapses. Neurexins interact with pre- and postsynaptic proteins to organise, for example, voltage gated calcium channels and neurotransmitter receptors. Neurexin dysfunction is associated with autism, schizophrenia, and intellectual disabilities, yet understanding it’s normal function and consequences of mutations remain incomplete. Thus, we explore the impact of clinically relevant mutations using translational approaches.

To study synaptic proteins in learning and memory circuits in vivo, Drosophila melanogaster is an excellent model organism. Flies learn, consolidate and remember, and underlying molecular and cellular processes are remarkably similar - some even identical – across flies, mice, and humans. However, the genetic organisation is much simpler in Drosophila. To establish experimental model systems, I leverage cutting edge concepts in Connectomics and Computational neurobiology, as well as neuronal circuits with remarkable network functions, like updating memories. Using powerful tools for molecular, genetic, physiological, and behavioral experiments, available in Drosophila, I investigate the role of neurexins, their interaction partners, and clinically relevant mutations in synapses of learning and memory circuits in vivo.

Selected Publications

Felsenberg J., Jacob P.F., Walker T., Barnstedt O., Edmondson-Stait A.J., Pleijzier M.W., Otto N.(#), Schlegel P., Sharifi N., Perisse E., Smith C.S., Lauritzen J.S., Costa M., Jefferis G.S.X.E., Bock D.D., Waddell S. (2018) Integration of Parallel Opposing Memories Underlies Memory Extinction; Cell 175(3):709-722; doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.08.021 (#: Supervising AJES & MWP)

Otto N.(#), Pleijzier M.W., Morgan I.C., Edmondson-Stait A.J., Heinz K.J., Stark I., Dempsey G., Ito M., Kapoor I., Hsu J., Schlegel P.M., Bates A.S., Feng L., Costa M., Ito K., Bock D.D., Rubin G.M., Jefferis G.S.X.E., Waddell S. (2020) Input Connectivity Reveals Additional Heterogeneity of Dopaminergic Reinforcement in Drosophila; Curr Biol 30(16):3200-3211.e8; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.05.077 (#: Supervising: MWP, ICM, AJES, KJH, IS, GD, JH)

Okray Z., Jacob P.F., Stern C., Desmond K., Otto N., Talbot C.B., Vargas-Gutierrez P., Waddell S. (2023) Multisensory learning binds modality-specific neurons into a cross-modal memory engram; Nature 617(7962):777-784; doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06013-8

Jovanoski K.D., Duquenoy L., Mitchell J., Kapoor I.C., Treiber C.D., Croset V., Dempsey G., Parepalli S., Cognigni P., Otto N.(#), Felsenberg J., Waddell S. (2023) Dopaminergic systems create reward seeking despite adverse consequences; Nature 623(7986): 356-365; doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06671-8 (#: Third senior author, supervising GD)

Otto N., Böckers A., Shiozawa T., Brunk I., Schumann S., Kugelmann D., Missler M., Darici D. (2024) Profiling learning strategies of medical students: A person-centered approach; Med Educ. 1-11; doi: 10.1111/medu.15388  -  [ epub ahead of print ]

Honors and Awards

2011	Stipendiat der Heinrich Hertz Stiftung
2011	Stipendium des Deutschen Akademischen Auslandsdienst (PROMOS) – Zum Sommer Forschungsproject an der Stanford University, Kalifornien, US.
2013-16	Fellowship for excellent graduate Students of the joint Cluster of Excellence (Cells in Motion) and international Max Planck research school (IMPRS) graduate school
2014	Price for the best scientific poster in recognition of the excellence of the scientific approach presented at the 9th International CIM-IMPRS GSM.
2017	Grant: CiM cluster of Excellence bridging grant

 

Academic CV

2022- current	Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter & Dozent, Missler Lab, Institut für Anatomie und Vaskuläre Biologie, Universität Münster
2018-2019	Visiting Researcher, Rubin Lab, HHMI Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, Virginia, US
2017-2018	Visiting Postdoctoral Researcher, Connectomics group (Jefferis Lab), Department for Zoology, University of Cambridge, UK
2017-2022	Postdoctoral Researcher, Waddell Lab, Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, Department for Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, UK
2017	Visiting Postdoc, Stanewsky Lab, Institut für Neurobiologie, Universität Münster
2013-2016	Promotion (Dr. rer. nat), Klämbt Lab, Institut für Neurobiologie, Universität Münster
2010-2012	Studium der molekularen Biomedizin (M.Sc.), Klämbt Lab, Institut für Neurobiologie, Universität Münster & Summer Internship: Stanford University (Clandinin Lab)
2007-2010	Studium der Biowissenschaften (B.Sc.), Universität Münster & Summer Internship: Max-Planck-Institut für Neurobiologie (Tavosanis Lab)