New research published from the Vollum's Baconguis' Lab

OHSU Brain Institute@ohsubrain.bsky.social · 5d ago

Scientists have for the first time mapped in exquisite, three-dimensional detail six major conformations of a membrane in the #brain related to #learning, #memory and fear-related behavior. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1136456

Scientists have for the 1st time mapped in 3D detail 6 major conformations of a brain membrane related to learning, memory & fear-related behavior. The findings could form the blueprint for drug development useful in treating stroke, said Isabelle Baconguis, Ph.D., Vollum Institute. bit.ly/4b9gOw9

Despite significant therapeutic potential of #CBD for treating #seizures & #inflammation, scientists don't fully understand how it works at a cellular level. The annual Precision Medicine Innovation Co-Laboratory Innovation Grant will aid Dr James Frank's research. Read full article: bit.ly/4b9gOw9

Led by OHSU researchers, scientists have for the first time mapped in exquisite, three-dimensional detail six major conformations of a membrane in the #brain related to #learning, #memory and fear-related behavior.

New images map key membrane protein in brain related to stroke

Discovery could provide a blueprint for improved treatment of stroke.

news.ohsu.edu

Congratulations to Dr Rose Hill on becoming a 2026 Editorial Board Fellow for The Journal of Physiology. cc: @jphysiol.bsky.social, @rose-hill.bsky.social

The Journal of Physiology@jphysiol.bsky.social · last mo.

Congratulations and welcome to Rose Hill @rose-hill.bsky.social of @volluminstitute.bsky.social who joins us as one of our 2026 Editorial Board Fellows! 🎓️

We're moving to Boston! Excited to share that I'm starting my own lab in the Neurobiology Department at Harvard Medical School in 2027!

Join us for the 2026 Herbert Memorial Lecture featuring Dr Joanna Wysocka. Dr Wysocka will present “Human development, evolution and disease through the lens of gene regulation” at noon in M1441. Login & stream from our site link: bit.ly/4dXx9pc

Dr Cody Call, Vollum Institute researcher, is 1st author of a study published in Nature: “Flexible ensheathment of axons enables #myelination of complex CNS networks.” Call performed #zebrafish experiments & electron microscopy analysis in Dr Monk's lab. bit.ly/3PuwG7K cc: @codylcall.bsky.social

Vollum Internal Speaker Series continues Thursday (6/4) with Dr Isabelle Baconguis presenting “From proton sensing to therapeutic targeting: Understanding acid‐sensing ion channels" at noon in M1441 of the Vollum. Login & stream from link on site: bit.ly/4dXx9pc #OHSUResearch #OHSU #neuroscience

Scientists have now traced how #serotonin – a key brain chemical targeted by many antidepressants – can amplify signals in the brain’s hearing system, worsening #tinnitus symptoms. https://www.earth.com/news/tinnitus-is-linked-to-serotonin-brain-alert-system-sleep-process-antidepressants/

Scientists find link between tinnitus and this crucial body function, offering hope for millions with ear ringing

Serotonin from antidepressants may amplify tinnitus, offering insight into why ear ringing can worsen during treatment.

earth.com

The Vollum Seminar Series welcomes Dr Stephan Züchner who will present “The genome‐wide spectrum of tandem repeat loci and their growing associations to disease" on Thursday (5/28), at noon in M1441 of the Vollum. Login & stream from link on site: bit.ly/4dXx9pc

Vollum Internal Speaker Series continues Thursday (5/21) with Dr John Williams presenting “The evolution of #monoamine transmission" at noon in M1441 of the Vollum. Login & stream from link on site: bit.ly/4dXx9pc #OHSUResearch #OHSU #neuroscience

Latest offering. How myelin ensheathes axons! Born from chat with Dwight Bergles on "weird things" we saw oligodendrocytes do, like making "bridges" between sheaths. Driven forward by Cody Call, Kelly Monk, and myelin folks @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social Enjoy! www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Flexible ensheathment of axons enables myelination of complex CNS networks - Nature

The rate of axon ensheathment varies within individual myelinating processes, resulting in chains of myelin sheaths connected by bridges consisting of thin cytoplasmic processes that provide&nbsp...

nature.com

Elevated #serotonin levels may worsen #tinnitus by boosting activity in auditory brain regions: www.opb.org/article/2026...

OHSU researchers connect tinnitus with elevated serotonin activity in the brain

While far from a cure, the new research could one day help scientists understand how to reverse tinnitus through brain chemistry.

opb.org

Scientists have now traced how #serotonin – a key #brain chemical targeted by many antidepressants – can amplify signals in the brain’s hearing system, worsening #tinnitus symptoms. https://www.earth.com/news/tinnitus-is-linked-to-brain-alert-system-serotonin-antidepressants-may-amplify/

Scientists say tinnitus is linked to a key brain system, which may explain why it disrupts sleep and focus

Serotonin from antidepressants may amplify tinnitus, offering insight into why ear ringing can worsen during treatment.

earth.com

It was so fun to visit the @volluminstitute.bsky.social!! Such an awesome community of scientists!

Vollum Institute@volluminstitute.bsky.social · 3mo ago

The Vollum Seminar Series welcomes Dr Meg Younger who will present “Non-canonical olfaction in deadly mosquitos" on Thursday (5/14), at noon in M1441 of the Vollum. Login & stream from link on site: bit.ly/4dXx9pc cc: @megyounger.bsky.social

Congratulations to Dr Nina Luong on her successful dissertation defense titled "Genetic approaches to classifying retinal neuron subtypes". Nina is mentored by Drs Kevin Wright and Ben Sivyer. cc: @ninaluong.bsky.social @kevinmawright.bsky.social

Congratulations to the newly minted Dr Nina Luong @ninaluong.bsky.social on her successful dissertation defense yesterday! Keep an EYE out for her preprint on several uncharacterized RGC subtypes coming soon…

OHSU researchers have identified a specific #brain circuit that may help explain #tinnitus, the persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears that affects millions of people. https://www.oregonlive.com/health/2026/04/whats-behind-phantom-ear-ringing-scientists-find-the-brain-switch.html

What’s behind phantom ear ringing? Scientists find the brain switch

The findings point to a potential treatment for tinnitus, a sometimes debilitating condition affecting roughly one in 10 adults in the U.S.

oregonlive.com

The Vollum Seminar Series welcomes Dr Meg Younger who will present “Non-canonical olfaction in deadly mosquitos" on Thursday (5/14), at noon in M1441 of the Vollum. Login & stream from link on site: bit.ly/4dXx9pc cc: @megyounger.bsky.social

Vollum scientist, Dr Larry Trussell, co-authored an article revealing that the same neurotransmitter commonly leveraged to relieve symptoms of #depression and anxiety also may exacerbate a vexing condition known as #tinnitus. The article out now in the @pnas.org . Read the full story: bit.ly/4dXx9pc

The Vollum Seminar Series welcomes Dr Elena Gracheva who will present “Neurophysiology of hibernation: The solution to environmental challenges" on Thursday (5/7), at noon in M1441 of the Vollum. Login & stream from link on site: bit.ly/4dXx9pc

The same neurotransmitter commonly leveraged to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety also may exacerbate a vexing condition known as #tinnitus. https://news.ohsu.edu/2026/04/20/research-links-tinnitus-with-serotonin

Research links tinnitus with serotonin

Neurotransmitter known for relieving depression could have opposite effect on tinnitus.

news.ohsu.edu

On Friday, May 1st, Adam Coombs will present his Dissertation Defense: "Mechanical Regulation of the OL Lineage by PIEZOs" at 2 pm in Vollum's M1441. Adam is mentored by Dr Kelly Monk and Dr Ben Emery. #OHSUResearch

The Vollum Seminar Series welcomes Dr. Stephanie Rudolph who will present “Sparse Messages, Robust Effects: Neuropeptide Signaling in Developing and Mature Circuits" on Thursday (4/30), at noon in M1441 of the Vollum. Login & stream from link on site: bit.ly/4dXx9pc

Congratulations to Dr Marc Freeman, director of the Vollum Institute, who was elected amongst a diverse group of preeminent colleagues into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences to honor his distinguished contributions to the field of neuroscience. www.amacad.org/new-members-...

New Academy Members

Elected in 2026

amacad.org

Congratulations to JCB Editorial Board members Shu-ou Shan, @astraight.bsky.social, Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis, and Marc R. Freeman on their election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. We are proud to have your expertise serving the journal. #CellBiology

New Academy Members

Elected in 2026

amacad.org

On Friday, April 24, Katie Emberley will present her Dissertation Defense: "Myelin's Midlife Crisis: Age-Dependent Remyelination Failure and Its Neurodegenerative Consequences" at 1:15 pm in Vollum's M1441. Katie is mentored by Ben Emery, Ph.D. #OHSUResearch

Cheers to Dr Yessica Santana Agreda on her successful dissertation defense titled "The Molecular Basis of Neuronal Identity Acquisition and Maintenance of Cholinergic Starburst Amacrine Cells". Yessica is mentored by Dr Kevin Wright. cc: @yessicasantana.bsky.social @kevinmawright.bsky.social

Congratulations to Dr. Yessica Santana Agreda on a successful dissertation defense! @yessicasantana.bsky.social @volluminstitute.bsky.social