The seminar focuses on matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), an enzyme whose biological role depends on when and where it is active. Prof. Kaczmarek’s group discovered its major role in neuronal plasticity and synaptic reorganisation. Over 25 years, the team has shown that MMP-9 contributes to learning and memory, but also to conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, alcohol addiction, depression and epilepsy, making it an attractive drug target.
About the speaker
Prof. Leszek Kaczmarek works at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, in Warsaw. He heads the Laboratory of Neurobiology and is president of BRAINCITY, a Nencki-EMBL Centre of Excellence focused on neural plasticity and brain disorders. He earned his PhD in experimental haematology and DSc in experimental oncology. Since 1986, his laboratory has studied brain–mind connections at molecular, cellular, network and behavioural levels in health and disease.
