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Tanycytes, specialized glial cells lining the third ventricle of hypothalamus mediate the dialogue between the brain and the periphery. These highly plastic and heterogenous cells regulate the secretion of neuropeptides from hypothalamic neurons into the pituitary portal system as well control blood-brain and blood-cerebrospinal fluid exchanges. They also sense and shuttle circulating metabolic signals to hypothalamic neurons involved in regulation of food intake. Tanycytes, thus potentially represent a missing link connecting behavior, hormonal changes, signal transduction and activation of central neurons. Disruptions in these pathways predispose an organism to a number of age-related disorders, including metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. In order to come up with therapeutic strategies to combat these metabolic and cognitive diseases, it is extremely important to study the heterogeneity of tanycytes as well as to study the molecular basis of their interaction with hypothalamic neurons and the periphery. The focus of this seminar will be to highlight cutting-edge genetic approaches, systems neuroscience and pharmacological approaches designed to explore the role of tanycytes in health and disease.

This seminar will be given online via Zoom. See attached poster for details.