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Dr. Pedro Bekinschtein

Research Associate
University of Cambridge. Department of Experimental Psychology
 

Brief Biography:


During my PhD, my research was focused on the molecular mechanisms involved in memory persistence. I used a simple memory task to dissect a novel protein synthesis-dependent phase required for long-term memory maintenance in the hippocampus. We also discovered that a molecule called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was both necessary and sufficient for memory persistence (see Neuron 2007 and PNAS 2008 ). As a PhD student I also lead a project regarding the regulation of translation during memory formation (see NLM 2007 and PloS One 2009). For my post-doctoral project I wanted to study learning and memory using a more cognitive approach. Dr. Bussey’s lab in Cambridge was an ideal place to develop this project. My research in Cambridge is a natural follow-up from my PhD, combining cellular and molecular approaches to understand the mechanisms of memory and pattern separation in the medial temporal lobe. The project was awarded with a grant from BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) and it involves the study of how similar input are encoded and consolidated into separate memory representations in the hippocampus and perirhinal cortex. We are currently analysing the role of BDNF in the dentate gyrus for pattern separation and its possible relationship with neurogenesis in the adult brain.
 

Academic positions:


September 2009-present Assistant Researcher CONICET. Memory Research Laboratory, Institute for Cell Biology and Neuroscience CONICET-University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. September 2009/ September 2011 European Recognised Researcher BBSRC Grant. Cognitive Systems Neuroscience Laboratory of the Department of Experimental Psychology in the University of Cambridge, UK. April 2008/ August 2009 Post-doctoral position at the Memory and Learning lab of the Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience of the School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Advisor: Dr. Jorge H Medina. April 2003/ April 2008 Doctoral fellowship given by CONICET (National Council for Scientific and Technical Research) to complete the PhD at the Memory and Learning lab of the Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience of the School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Advisor: Dr. Jorge H Medina. October 2002/ April 2003 Doctoral fellowship given by ANPCyT (National Agency for the Promotion of Science and Technology) to start the PhD at the Memory and Learning lab of the Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience of the School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Advisor: Dr. Jorge H Medina. January 2002/ October 2002 Graduate fellowship “Ramón Carrillo-Oñativia” given by the National Health Department to start the PhD at the Memory and Learning lab of the Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience of the School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Advisor: Dr. Jorge H Medina. June 1995/ July 2001 Undergraduate fellowship to do research at the Experimental Medicine Division of the Institute of Haematology research of the National Academy of Medicine in Buenos Aires. Advisor: Dr. Isabel Piazzon.
 

Research interests:


I'm interested in the molecular mechanisms of memory consolidation and memory retrieval. In particular, pattern separation, memory persistence, memory reconsolidation and putative inhibitory mechanisms that may solve interference during retrieval. I'm also interested in the neurobiology of pathologies associated with memory deficits.
 

What I think of the idea behind WebmedCentral:


I think Open access journals are the future in scientific publishing and any of these initiatives that look serious shoud be supported by the scientific community. I like the idea of open reviews.