Christian Klambt

After studying the cell biology of the Drosophila CNS midline cells, we addressed the role receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling during glial development. We performed several large scale genetic screens and identified many genes controlling glial development and function. study barrier forming glial cells and decipher the function of the wrapping glial cells. Today we address the impact of glial differentiation of neuronal function and developed the FIM imaging system to study larval locomotor behavior.

• 1987: Doctorate with Dr. Otto Schmidt, University of Freiburg
• 1987 – 1988: Postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Dr. Jose Campos- Ortega, Cologne
• 1988 – 1990: Postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Dr. Corey Goodman, UC Berkeley
• 1991 – 1997: Junior group leader, University of Cologne
• 1997: Professor at the University of Münster
• 2003- 2015: Speaker CRC 629
• 2006: Elected EMBO member
• Since 2012: Board of trustees, Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds
• 2018 – 2018: Speaker CRC 1348

Glia affects speed and precision of neuronal conductance by control of axonal diameter, position of voltage-gated ion channels and myelin formation

The functionality of the brain requires sending of information via often long axons. Two problems need to be solved. First, axonal conductance velocity is of obvious relevance. It can be enhanced either by increasing the axonal diameter or by clustering of voltage-gated ion channels along the axonal plasma membrane. Second, electrical crosstalk, known as ephaptic coupling, between closely neighboring axons has to be blocked to maximize neuronal signaling precision. Both mechanisms depend on intricate neuron-glial interaction. Here we show that glial cells foster radial axonal growth which in turn promotes conductance speed. To further enhance conductance speed axons can cluster voltage-gated ion channels to initiate a micro-saltatory conductance mode. Clustering of ion channels results in an increased likelihood of ephaptic coupling which is balanced by multiple glial wrapping. Here we show that Drosophila forms myelin-like structures that moreover correlate with the voltage-gated ion channel clusters. An evolutionary model underlying formation of myelin-like structures will be discussed.