Edwin R. Chapman, PhD

Edwin Chapman is interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying Ca²⁺-triggered exocytosis, synaptic transmission, and synaptic plasticity. Chapman’s lab team is organized into three highly interactive subgroups that: (1) focus on reconstitution approaches to elucidate the nano-mechanics of membrane fusion reactions, (2) develop and apply modern cell biology tools to study membrane trafficking and fusion in neurons, and (3) study synaptic transmission and plasticity using a variety of imaging and electrophysiological approaches. The team’s goals include understanding how proteins catalyze the fusion of lipid bilayers, determining how the synaptic vesicle cycle contributes to short term synaptic plasticity, and assigning functions to all 17 members of the synaptotagmin family of proteins.