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Axel Nimmerjahn is an Adjunct Professor with a primary appointment at the Salk Institute. His research is focused on understanding the intricate circuits formed by neurons, which are electrically excitable cells that process and transmit information. A significant portion of his work revolves around glial cells, which account for ninety percent of the human brain's cellular makeup and more than fifty percent of its volume. Traditionally viewed as merely supportive entities, recent studies have elucidated the critical roles that glial cells play in the formation, operation, and adaptation of neural circuitry. His laboratory works on innovating light microscopic tools that enable the study of these cells and their interactions within the intact mammalian brain. By developing tools for cell-type-specific staining and genetic manipulation, Nimmerjahn's research aims to address longstanding questions regarding glial function in both healthy and diseased brains, offering insights into how information is processed and interpreted, especially regarding functional brain imaging signals and treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Administered by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Curricular groups include Climate-Ocean-Atmosphere (COAP), Geosciences (GEO), and Ocean Biosciences (OBP).