The research in the department focuses on chemical synapses, specialized cell-cell contacts for the communication between nerve cells. These synapses display remarkable dynamics and plasticity that constitute the basis for major brain functions including learning and memory. Various neurological and mental disorders including epilepsy, schizophrenia, autism, mental retardation and others are either causally or symptomatically associated with synaptic dysfunctions. Research projects are interconnected with other departments and research groups of the LIN and deal with molecular and cellular mechanisms of synaptic transmission and plasticity, the molecular organization and the developmental assembly of brain synapses and pathological aberrations of these processes. The department hosts three independent research groups that focus their interest on different aspects of synaptic function. In addition, several collaborative projects are pursued.