Imig Lab
Our goal is to elucidate molecular mechanisms that determine the functional heterogeneity of different neurosecretory systems with a particular focus on synapse-like signalling mechanisms along the gut-brain-axis.
We are interested in the question how the distinct molecular and structural features of different neurosecretory systems shape their respective neurotransmitter and hormone release properties. The key goal is to understand of how these dynamic cellular processes are ultimately linked to physiology, behaviour and metabolism in health and disease.
One particular focus of our research is to dissect the molecular mechanisms that mediate the secretion of signalling substances in the gut. We aim to further understand how the cellular and neuronal circuits are organized to transmit this information with minimal delay to the brain. The initial focus is on a subset of enteroendocrine cells within the gut epithelium that respond to sensory information in the gastrointestinal tract by releasing the neurotransmitter serotonin. Altered serotonin release has been implicated in a variety of disorders and diseases including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, and obesity. This research has received funding from the Lundbeck Foundation and from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 843494.
Banerjee A±, Imig C±, Balakrishnan K, Kershberg L, Lipstein N, Uronen R, Wang J, Cai X, Benseler F, Rhee JS, Cooper BH, Liu C, Wojcik SM, Brose N, and Kaeser PS (2021) Molecular and functional architecture of striatal dopamine release sites. Neuron 110, 248-265. ±co-first authors
*Imig C±, López-Murcia FJ, Garcia-Plaza IH, Mortensen LS, Schwark M, Angibaud J, Nägerl V, Taschenberger H, Brose N± & Cooper BH± (2020) Ultrastructural Imaging of Activity-Dependent Synaptic Membrane Trafficking Events in Cultured Brain Slices. Neuron 108, 843-860. ±corresponding authors
Maus L, Lee ChoongKu, Altas B, Sertel SM, Weyand K, Rizzoli SO, Rhee JS, Brose N, Imig C±, Cooper BH± (2020) Ultrastructural Correlates of Presynaptic Functional Heterogeneity in Hippocampal Synapses. Cell Rep. 30, 3632-3643. ±corresponding authors
Sigler A±, Oh WC±, Imig C±, Altas B, Cooper BH, Kwon H-B, Rhee JS and Brose N (2017) Formation and maintenance of functional spines in the absence of presynaptic glutamate release. Neuron 94, 304-311. ±co-first authors
Imig C, Min S-W, Krinner S, Arancillo M, Rosenmund C, Südhof TC, Rhee J-S, Brose N and Cooper BH (2014) The morphological and molecular nature of synaptic vesicle priming at presynaptic active zones. Neuron 84, 416-431.
Education
2010 – 2013: Dr. rer. nat. Neuroscience, Georg-August Universität, Göttingen, Germany
2008 – 2010: MSc Neuroscience, Georg-August Universität, Göttingen, Germany
2005 – 2008: BSc Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany
Positions
2022 – Present: Associate Professor (time-limited), Dept. of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
2020 – 2022: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
2013 – 2020: Postdoctoral Researcher, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany (Prof. Dr. Nils Brose)
2010 – 2013: Graduate student, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany (Prof. Dr. Nils Brose)
Fellowships & Grants (selected)
2020 - 2025: Lundbeck Foundation Fellowship, Lundbeckfonden
2020 - 2022: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Standard European Individual Fellowship, European Union
2017 - 2018: Young Investigator Funds for Innovative Research Ideas, Schering Stiftung
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Cell culture (cell lines, neurons, intestinal monolayer epithelium, inestinal organoids)
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In vitro single-cell whole cell patch-clamp electrophysiology
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Molecular biology
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Biochemistry (Western Blot)
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Immunocytochemistry & immunohistochemistry
Lab members
| Name | Title | Job responsibilities | Image |
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| Search in Name | Search in Title | Search in Job responsibilities | |
| Cordelia Imig | Associate Professor | Imig Lab |
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| Esmira Mamedova | Postdoc | Imig Lab, Rekling Lab |
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| Jaden Rebecca Quale | Research Fellow | Imig Lab |
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| Natalia Olivia Frese | Master-Student | Imig Lab |
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| Tulika Arora | Assistant Professor | Imig Lab |
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