Quantitative immuno-electron microscopy (immuno-EM) is the most effective method for visualizing specific cellular structures, subcellular compartments and extracellular architecture, as well as their molecular components. The research projects presented here address two important issues. The first concerns the expression and trafficking of functionally important cortical neuron-specific proteins such as synaptosome-associated protein 47kDa (SNAP-47), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ErbB3-binding protein 1 (EBP1), which are involved in synaptic transmission, neuronal development, and protein synthesis in the brain. The second issue relates to the specialized extracellular matrix - glycocalyx - in cultured cells and the endothelial luminal extracellular architecture, and this research changes the current understanding of the composition and organization of the endothelial surface layer. The studies presented in both aspects has involved the application of various molecular and biochemical methods in addition to the morphological study, and demonstrate the importance of qualitative and quantitative ultrastructural studies complementing physiological and molecular investigations. This combined approach provides convergent insights into the details of the structural framework for molecular intra- and extracellular processes, including the functional protein expression and trafficking, as well as the dynamic extracellular matrix network.
Agnieszka Münster-Wandowski (Thu,) studied this question.