Gregory Macleod, PhD
Professor
Education & Affiliations
Biography
Gregory Macleod, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Physiology at Tulane University School of Medicine. His research focuses on neurophysiology, with particular emphasis on synaptic function and plasticity, neurotransmitter release, and the role of mitochondria in nervous system function.
Dr. Macleod studies how nerve cells communicate at synapses and the cellular factors that influence neurotransmitter release, including mitochondrial function, pH, and aging. His laboratory uses electrophysiology and high-speed fluorescence imaging to investigate the molecular, biophysical, and physiological mechanisms underlying synaptic communication. His research primarily uses fruit flies because of their powerful molecular genetic tools, with additional studies in mice to examine how mitochondrial dysfunction and aging affect neurotransmitter release in vertebrate nervous systems.
Dr. Macleod earned his PhD from the University of Sydney in 2000. His work contributes to a broader understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying nervous system function, with implications for neuroscience and conditions associated with synaptic and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Areas of Expertise
Research
Rapid communication between cells is the basis for most of the functions of the nervous system, including sensory transduction, learning, memory, and locomotion. Most cells of the nervous system communicate at synapses, specialized sites at which closely opposed cells release chemicals known as neurotransmitters. Our laboratory investigates the release of neurotransmitters from nerve cells and factors that influence their release, such as mitochondria, pH, and age. We use electrophysiology and high-speed fluorescence imaging to construct a molecular, biophysical, and physiological understanding of neurotransmitter release. We conduct our studies primarily in the fruit fly because of its molecular genetic advantages but also conduct studies in mice to examine the effects of mitochondrial dysfunction and age on neurotransmitter release in a vertebrate nervous system. For more information about my research, go to my lab website.
Contributions
Publication listing for Dr. Gregory Macleod.
