Dr. Leonard J. Cleary
Regular Member
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Medical School
Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy
Research Interests:
- Neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory
- Neural circuitry
- Structure of neurons and synapses
- Second messengers
The goal of my research is to identify neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory, focusing on the tail withdrawal reflex of the mollusk Aplysia californica. Sensory and motor neurons underlying the reflex have been identified, and changes in their properties have been correlated with changes in the strength of the reflex. I am particularly interested in investigating changes in the structure of neurons, a phenomenon that has been correlated with some forms of learning. Some of these changes may be due to the action of growth factors acting in the adult nervous system. Finally, I am interested in identifying additional elements of the tail withdrawal circuit that may also be sites of synaptic plasticity.
A tutorial in this laboratory could give a student experience in intracellular recording from identified neurons, intracellular injection of dyes, and/or several morphological techniques, including immunofluorescence and conventional light and electron microscopy.
Selected Publications
Program Affiliation:
Contact Information
Phone: 713.500.5631
Email: Len.Cleary@uth.tmc.edu
Office: MSB 7.164
Title: Professor
Education:
Ph.D. - Columbia University - 1984
