The Functional Genomics department studies the presynaptic nerve terminal in health and disease.
We study presynaptic mechanisms that adjust synaptic transmission (presynaptic plasticity), the trafficking & fusion of neuropeptide vesicles (dense core vesicles) and presynaptic mechanisms of degeneration.
We love to share our work & insights with society. We have produced short films on brain myths and the Virtual Brain Experience, that allows you to see the brain from within. We also collaborate with the Museumnacht and explain our science to lay people, school children, patients & their caretakers and clinicians.
The Functional Genomics (FGA) department was established in 2001 when Matthijs Verhage moved in from Utrecht with a small team.
FGA is part of the Human Genetics Department of Amsterdam UMC, as well as the Life Sciences faculty of the VU University. Furthermore, FGA is embedded in Amsterdam Neuroscience.
The SynGO consortium, consisting of >20 expert labs worldwide and coordinated by CNCR, brings together scientific knowledge about synapses & provides online analysis tools. Their new release contains >1600 annotated synaptic genes.
The European STXBP1 COnsortium (ESCO, www.stxbp1eu.org) was established in 2021 with eight partner countries in the EU, coordinated by VU/AUMC. All partners have now signed the consortium agreement and ESCO secured its 1st funding.
A new study led by Amelie Freal (FGA) describes mechanisms controlling Axon Initial Segment plasticity, revealing distinct and dynamic pools of sodium channels that adjust neuronal excitability
