Biosketch                Top

Dr. Huber obtained her undergraduate degree in Biology and Psychology at Stephen F. Austin State University. In 1995, she earned a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston where she worked in the laboratory of Dr. Paul Kelly studying biochemical mechanisms of synaptic plasticity. Dr. Huber continued her work on synaptic plasticity as a postdoc with Dr. Mark Bear at Brown University. She joined the faculty at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 2001.

 Research              Top

I am interested in how brain activity induces long-term changes in connections between neurons or synapses and how these changes are maintained. The incredible plasticity of synapses is thought to be the brain’s primary mechanism for the refinement of neuronal circuitry early in life, as well as mediate the storage of memories in adulthood. Depending on the activity of a neuron during an experience, synapses can either strengthen or weaken. A memory is represented in the brain by the resulting pattern of synaptic changes onto neurons . To study these changes, I use electrophysiology, immunocytochemistry and biochemical techniques.  Currently, I am studying mechanisms of synaptic weakening in the hippocampus induced by activation of the G-protein coupled metabotropic glutamate receptors.  Other interests include how alterations of synaptic plasticity contribute to brain disorders such as mental retardation.

 Recent Publications           Top

Primary Research Articles

Huber, K.M., Kayser, M.S. and M.F. Bear. (2000) Role for rapid dendritic protein synthesis in hippocampal mGluR-dependent LTD. Science 288(5469):1254-7.

Huber, K.M., Gallagher, S.M., Warren, S.T. and Bear, M.F. (2002) Altered synaptic plasticity in a mouse model of fragile X mental  retardation.  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 99(11):  7746-7750.

Gallagher, S.M.. Daly, C.A., Bear, M.F. and Huber, K.M.  (2004)  Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase activation is required for metabotropic glutamate receptor -dependent long-term depression in hippocampal area CA1.  J. Neurosci. 24(20):4859-64.

Nosyreva, E.N. and Huber, K.M. (2005)  Developmental switch in mechanisms of hippocampal metabotropic glutamate receptor dependent synaptic plasticity  J. Neurosci, 25(11):  2992-3001.

 Reviews

Bear, M.F., Huber, K.M. and Warren, S.T.  (2004) The mGluR theory of fragile X mental retardation.  Trends in Neuroscience, 27(7):370-7.

 Current Lab Staff                 Top

Rooms NB4.202, NB4.214
Telephone: 214-648-5131

Postdoctoral Fellows

Students

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