Brenda Bloodgood

Brenda Bloodgood is an Associate Professor in the Department of BIO at the University of California, San Diego. Her research focuses on neurophysiology and the molecular mechanisms of synapse and circuit plasticity. Bloodgood's lab investigates how experience influences neuronal computations through activity-dependent gene expression, particularly in the context of inhibitory and excitatory neuron connectivity. Her work explores the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these changes and their impact on behavior and disease. The lab utilizes a multidisciplinary approach, including optogenetics, electrophysiology, and viral circuit tracing, to study synaptic connectivity in the mouse hippocampus. Her research addresses key questions about the role of inhibitory microcircuitry in synaptic plasticity and its implications for neural function.

Brenda Bloodgood is an Associate Professor at UCSD whose research focuses on neural circuit and synapse function. Her work explores the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity, particularly in the context of neuronal activity and signaling pathways. Bloodgood's studies investigate how proteins such as Ube3A and NPAS4 regulate synapse development and function, with a focus on NMDA receptor-dependent signaling, Ca²⁺ signaling in dendritic spines, and the role of ion channels in synaptic transmission. Her research also examines the impact of genetic and environmental factors on synaptic connectivity and neuronal communication.