Prof. Dr. Walter Witke

The central question we are addressing is how the actin cytoskeleton and dynamic changes of cell structure and neuronal migration control brain development and physiology. Our main focus is on protein complexes, which control the polymerization and depolymerization of actin filaments and the de novo formation (nucleation) of actin filaments. Key regulators we are working on are the actin binding proteins of the profilin and ADF/cofilin family as well as the WAVE/Cyfip-complex. We are interested in elucidating the role of these proteins and complexes in synaptic plasticity, homeostasis of the brain and related disorders such as autism and mental retardation. We use genetic mouse models and employ a broad spectrum of cell biology and molecular methods to approach these questions.