STRUCTURAL NEUROSCIENCE OF SYNAPSE CONNECTIVITY

 



Welcome to the Ressl Lab.
We develop and employ tools to understand the structural basis of proteins at the synapse.

RESEARCH

Our research is in the emerging and fast-growing field of Structural Neuroscience. Structural Neuroscience reveals breakthrough insights into the structural basis of proteins critical to the form and function of the nervous system.

PROJECT AREAS

  • Synapse membrane proteins and organizers. Essential to the form and function of chemical synapses, these proteins - when broken or dysregulated - are associated with cognitive brain and neurodegenerative disorders - synaptopathies. Proteins seldom work alone. Therefore, our team works on selected proteins (GPCRs, channels, and secreted synapse-organizing proteins), showing that they form intricate protein complexes and networks at the synapse. We identify new synaptic protein-protein interactions and decipher their fundamental structure-function relationships to understand the basis of brain health and disease. We use multimodal and interdisciplinary approaches to generate spatial and temporal data. We collaborate with other experts (Martinelli lab, Lee lab) to develop comprehensive models of understanding behind synaptopathies.

  • Method development to study membrane proteins of the brain. The challenge of studying membrane proteins is rooted in their intrinsic dual hydrophobic-hydrophilic nature and compounded by the limited availability of membrane-mimetic tools. We are thrilled to collaborate with the brilliant Callmann group to employ our expertise and combine biochemistry, biophysics, soft materials science, and nanotechnology to develop highly innovative membrane-mimetic tools. Our tools will enable to study membrane proteins using multi-scale techniques that span across different system levels. This project will lead to greater interdisciplinary scientific advancements and faster progress in diagnostic and therapeutic developments.

  • Ion channels. We are excited to collaborate with the talented Goldschen-Ohm group on the structure-function of the pharmacologically so relevant Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor.

 

PUBLICATIONS


NCBI list of publications for Ressl Lab's principal investigator Susanne Ressl

2016 - 2023

Peña Palomino PA, Black KC, Ressl S.,”Pleiotropy of C1QL proteins across physiological systems and their emerging role in synapse homeostasis.” Biochem Soc Trans. 2023 May 4 PMID: 37140354

Sticco M.#, Peña Palomino PA#, Lukacsovich D., Thompson B., Földy C., Ressl S.*, Martinelli DC.*,”C1QL3 orchestrates ternary complex formation between ADGRB3 and Neuronal Pentraxins” *shared corresponding #shared first authors, FASEB J 2021 Jan PMID: 33337553

Gabale U., Peña Palomino PA., Kim H., Chen W., Ressl S.,” The essential inner membrane protein YejM is a metalloenzyme” Nature Scientific Reports 2020 Oct  PMID: 33082366

Song W., Ressl S., Tracey WD. "Loss of pseudouridine synthases in the RluA family causes hypersensitive nociception in Drosophila" G3 2020 Oct 7 PMID: 33028630

Murphy M. … Ressl S*, Diekman A.*, Pestilli F.* Open Science, Communal Culture, and Women's Participation in the Movement to Improve Science” PNAS Sept 29, 2020 *senior authors PMID: 32929006

Wu J., Ressl S., Overton K. "Light Harvest: an interactive sculptural installation based on folding and mapping proteins." Digital Creativity 2018 Volume 29 Issue 4

Martinelli D.C., Chew K.S., Rohlmann A., Lum M., Ressl S., Hattar S., Brunger A.T., Missler M., Südhof T.C. “Expression of C1ql3 in Discrete Neuronal Populations Controls Efferent Synapse Numbers and Diverse Behaviors” NEURON Sep 7;91(5):1034-51. 2016 PMID: 27478018

Sunden F., AlSadhan I., Lyubimov A.Y., Ressl S., …, Herschlag D. “Mechanistic similarities and distinctions of phosphomonoesterases and phosphodiesterases across the alkaline phosphatase superfamily revealed through comparative enzymology” J Am Chem Soc Sep 16 201

2009 - 2015

Ressl, S.*, Vu BK, Vivona S, Martinelli DC, Südhof TC, Brunger AT  “Structures of C1q-like proteins reveal unique features among the C1q/TNF superfamily” Structure Feb 24 2015 *Co-corresponding author

Zhang Y, Diao J, Colbert KN, Lai Y, Pfuetzner RA, Padolina MS, Vivona S, Ressl S, Cipriano DJ, Choi UB, Shah N, Weis WI, Brunger AT. "Munc18a does not alter fusion rates mediated by neuronal SNAREs, synaptotagmin, and complexin.” J Biol Chem. Feb 25 2015

Dalebroux Z.D., Edrozo M.B.,  Pfuetzner R.A., Ressl S., Kulasekara B.R., Blanc MP.,  Miller  S.I. "Delivery of Cardiolipins to the Salmonella Outer Membrane Is Necessary for Survival within Host Tissues and Virulence” Cell Host & Microbe 17, 1–11, April 8, 2015

Sunden F., Peck A., Salzman J., Ressl S., Herschlag D. “Extensive Site-directed Mutagenesis Reveals Interconnected Functional Units in the Alkaline Phosphatase Active Site” eLIFE Apr 22;4 2015

Liebscher I, Ackley B, Araç D, Ariestanti DM, Aust G, Bae BI, Bista BR, Bridges JP, Duman JG, Engel FB, Giera S, Goffinet AM, Hall RA, Hamann J, Hartmann N, Lin HH, Liu M, Luo R, Mogha A, Monk KR, Peeters MC, Prömel S, Ressl S, Schiöth HB, Sigoillot SM, Song H, Talbot WS, Tall GG, White JP, Wolfrum U, Xu L, Piao X.”New functions and signaling mechanisms for the class of adhesion G protein-coupled receptors.”Ann N Y Acad Sci. Dec 2014

Korkmaz F., Ressl S., Ziegler C., Mäntele W. "K+-induced conformational changes in the trimeric betaine transporter BetP monitored by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy." BBA (4):1181-91 2013

Perez C., Koshy C., Ressl S., Nicklisch S., Krämer R., Ziegler C. "Substrate specificity and ion coupling in the Na+/betaine symporter BetP." EMBO J. 30(7), 1221-9 2011

Ressl, S., Terwisscha van Scheltinga, A.C., Vonrhein, C., Ott, V., Ziegler, C. "Molecular basis of transport and regulation in the Na+/betaine symporter BetP." Nature 458, 47-52 2009

TEAM

Dr. Susanne Ressl, PI

Dr. Perla Pena Palomino, Postdoc

Myles Joyce, Neuroscience Graduate Student

Morgan Dixon, Lab Manager

Eleena Sherman, Undergraduate researcher


FORMER MEMBERS

The University of Texas at Austin

  • Ishika Bhasin, (Undergraduate Researcher - PolyMath)

  • Maya Webb, (Technical Research Assistant)

Indiana University Bloomington

  • Eleonor Goldstone (Student Summer Intern - Tri North Middle School Bloomington)

  • Jonathan Thomas Siler (Rotation Student - Biochemistry Program)

  • Keiland Cooper (Undergraduate Intern - Neuroscience Program)

  • Jennifer Wong (Rotation Student - Biochemistry Program)

  • Haley Harrington (Rotation Student - Biochemistry Program)

  • Jenny Sachweh (Visiting Masterstudent - Biotechnology, Heidelberg University Germany)

  • Elaina Sinclair (Cox Scholar, Undergraduate Researcher - Indiana University Bloomington)

  • Patrick Carmody (Rotation Student - Biochemistry Program,

  • Dr. Kendra Bunner, (Postdoctoral Researcher, Indiana University)

  • Jonathan Harris (Cox Scholar - Undergraduate Honor Program)

  • Gene Qian (Hutton Honor Undergraduate) - Graduated May 2019 and started Medical School at IUPUI

  • HyunAh Kim (Rotation Student - GCDB Program)

  • Colton Williamson (Research Associate, joined Eli Lilly as Sr. Biologist)

  • Branden Bailey (Undergraduate Intern MLS Program at IU Bloomington)

  • Dr. Uma Gabale (joined Eli Lilly as a Protein Scientist and Advisor in Biology)

  • Wenya Chen (Undergraduate Intern, Now Chemical Engineer Master Program at Washington University Seattle, Software engineer at Box)

  • Joshua Drosos (Undergraduate Intern, Biology and MLS student at IU Bloomington)

  • Rohit Das (Undergraduate Intern)

  • Heejeon Kim (Undergraduate Intern, Biology student IU Bloomington)

  • Olivia Abraham (former Cox Scholar and started Medical School at IUPUI)

    International VISITING SCIENTISTS

    • Dr. Anita Correll (Mainz, Germany)

    • Jenny Sachweh (Master student from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, current PhD candidate at the MPI of Biophysics in Frankfurt) 

LAB

RESSL LAB at The University of Texas at Austin since 08/2020


RESSL LAB at Indiana University Bloomington 2015-2020

RESSL LAB life

SCIENTIST MEETS ARTIST COLLABORATIVE PROJECT

It all began with a walk in the woods, which led to an incredible opportunity to work with the amazing artist Jiangmei Wu. Together, we transformed a protein structure into a captivating interactive sculpture. Our sculpture “Light Harvest” had integrated sensors reacting with light spectrum and intensity to the observer's orientation and movement around the sculpture. This interactive experience was realized with the help of the very talented Kyle Overton. “Light Harvest” was exhibited nationally and internationally.

STRUCTURE GALLERY
 

JOIN

Motivated individuals interested in joining our team in any of the below-listed capacities, please reach out to Dr. Ressl suressl [at] utexas [dot] edu

Postdoctoral scholars with backgrounds in protein biochemistry, structural biology, biophysics, nanotechnology, neuroscience, cell biology, chemical engineering, bioengineering, and pharmacology, we would be thrilled to hear from you.

Research Specialist to assist with tasks such as lab and tissue culture management, cloning, protein purification and characterization, and assay development.

PhD students

Prospective PhD students interested in joining the Ressl lab have to apply through our graduate programs in Neuroscience or Interdisciplinary Life Sciences.

PhD students from overseas, who would like to do an external internship in the Ressl lab, please get in touch with the PI.

Undergraduate students

Motivated undergraduate students interested in gaining research experience in the Ressl lab, please get in touch with the PI. 

Visiting students from all over the world

If you would like to spend some time in the Ressl lab and have the opportunity to apply for funding in your home country, please get in touch with the PI. 

TEACHING

 
 

NEU337

Structural Neuroscience

This course delves into the essential proteins that facilitate key neuronal processes, including receptor activity, synaptic cell adhesion, synaptic vesicle fusion, and more. "NEU337 Structural Neuroscience" offers a combination of lectures, primary literature analysis, presentation, and discussion to help you understand protein structures. The course covers recent scientific topics in structural neuroscience and teaches different ways of science communication and visualization. After finishing the course, you'll be able to analyze and visualize protein structures, read primary research literature critically, and communicate effectively.