BAMJI LAB

Our work demonstrates that DHHC enzymes, which mediate the posttranslational palmitoylation of proteins, are master regulatory ‘hubs' for activity-dependent structural and functional plasticity critical to proper circuit formation (Nat Neurosci, 2014; Nat Commun, 2015). Building on these findings, we are currently exploring the roles of these enzymes in regulating synapse formation and plasticity, cognition and behavior. This is exceedingly important as 9 of the 23 DHHC enzymes have been linked to neurological disorders thus far and 41% of all synaptic proteins are substrates for palmitoylation. We are one of a few labs worldwide studying this fundamental process in the brain.

Primary location: Vancouver Canada