Dan Dascenco

Background

About Dan Dascenco

The brain is an extraordinarily complex organ comprised of neurons, highly compartmentalized cells connected through trillions of synapses. How do these complex cells send processes to form neuronal networks responsible for intelligence and consciousness? How does this connectivity arise during development? These are the fundamental questions that I aim to address as a neuroscientist. Creative and enthusiastic, I enjoy the challenges and environment of academic research. During my academic career, my research has focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms controlling precise neuronal connectivity and synapse formation. I currently study synapse identity and diversity in the mammalian brain, using a versatile proteomic technique I've optimized that allowis me to probe synapse composition at specific inputs. I am excited to apply the methods and insights I have developed in this work to probe not only the extent of synaptic diversity, but to understand how this diversity shapes the functional properties of synapses and their vulnerability in disease.