Dr. Darwin Berg

Biography

Darwin Berg is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Diego. His research explores the role of nicotinic cholinergic signaling in the development and function of complex neural networks. He investigates how endogenous nicotinic activity promotes the development of glutamatergic innervation in neurons and guides changes in GABAergic transmission throughout development. His work examines the long-lasting effects of nicotine exposure during early development on synaptic wiring and behavioral consequences related to nicotine. Professor Berg utilizes a multidisciplinary approach, combining molecular biology, physiological imaging, and biochemical techniques to understand the molecular players that mediate nicotinic signaling and how they influence circuit construction. His collaborative work includes computational ultrastructural analyses and the use of viral constructs to manipulate signaling pathways in vivo, aiming to gain insights into the mechanisms behind nicotinic signaling in the central nervous system. His research holds implications for understanding cognition, memory formation, and potential biomedical applications, particularly concerning pathologies like Alzheimer's disease and addiction.

Research Interests