Guus Smit: From molecules to interacting scientists
‘It’s not surprising that there is a link between our research and nearly all other neuroscience research areas. Groups at the Neuroscience Campus can benefit from cooperation with our group, and vice versa.’
Synapses enable all our nerve cells to communicate making our entire nerve system to depend on the synapse. Professor Guus Smit and his fellow molecular and cellular neurobiologists at the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), the precursor of the neuroscience campus, are specialised in investigating these synapses.
Smit and his group focus on basic research in different areas of molecular and cellular Neurobiology. A highlight is on the function and plasticity of the synapse, using advanced techniques to analyse cell functions (cellomics) and identifying protein networks with an open eye to applications in the clinical field.
Synapses translate signals from one cell to another. Without synaptic signals, nerve cells do not function. These synapses can change through learning or experiences, but also change function in disease, e.g. mental retardation or addiction. Smit: ‘On addiction, we are involved in a successful research program with the group of Schoffelmeer, De Vries and Mansvelder. It’s a perfect blend of clinical and fundamental research.
According to Smit, the challenge for neuroscientists is that their field of interest covers such a broad area of research, from molecules to functioning of the brain, even to understanding human cognition or social interactions. Other research areas often cover a smaller range of research. Because the Neuroscience Campus creates more opportunities for different researchers to meet up, existing cooperations will intensify and new ones will develop. Smit: ‘We have to bring different worlds together. At the CNCR, we have already proven that it works. Without this cooperation I would not have been able to work on depression. Things are possible.’
Smit thinks the greatest gain will be made towards the outside world. ‘Scientists usually find each other when needed, they have this natural assertiveness. For outsiders it is less easy. It would be great if a student googles ‘neuroscience’ and immediately finds the Neuroscience Campus on her/ his screen.’
450 scientists working on the brain
Smit is happy to be part of an organisation of 450 scientists working together on the brain, all situated within walking distance from each other.
‘We have in depth expertise on the brain and state of the art technologies, ready to use in new exciting projects. That gives us the strength to keep up with the giants. Around the world there are several big neuroscience institutions, but hardly any of them have all their research groups and clinicians housed so closely together. The way we published a Nature Neuroscience paper on addiction research recently, with four cooperating groups, makes institutions abroad extremely jealous.’
