Akanksha Jain

Personal Profile

After obtaining my MSci degree in Cell biology from University College London, I started my PhD project in Prof Cousin’s lab based in the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences.

Research

Akanksha is currently working under the supervision of Dr. Daniela Ivanova. She is investigating the signalling pathways coordinating the crosstalk between cortical actin, membrane ruffling and vesicle trafficking at the presynapse. Actin contributes to the spatial organisation of exocytosis events, facilitating targeted neurotransmitter release. It also provides the structural framework for endocytosis, synaptic vesicle re-formation and movement.

Using a combination of optical imaging techniques and electron microscopy, Akanksha aims to uncover the significance of these pathways in neurotransmission. The dysregulation of these processes not only impacts neurotransmitter release but also influences neuronal excitability, contributing to the observed synaptic dysfunction in epilepsy. Akanksha's work addresses the fundamental synaptic mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis and sheds light on novel opportunities for interventions aimed at modulating synaptic activity.