Dr. Leslie Somberg's Academic Background and Career

  • Education
    • Bachelor's and Master's in Chemistry from the College of William and Mary
    • PhD in Chemistry from Penn State University
  • Early Career
    • Postdoctoral fellowship at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
    • Faculty position at North Carolina State University, starting in 2008
    • Promoted to Professor of Chemistry in 2020
  • Current Position
    • Moved her research group to the University of Florida
    • Leads an interdisciplinary group including researchers from various fields

Research Focus and Achievements

  • Field of Research
    • Specializes in chemical neuroscience
    • Focuses on electroanalytical techniques to study neurochemical levels
    • Studies range from single cells to living brain tissue
  • Publications and Funding
    • Authored over 50 research publications
    • Received tens of millions in research funding

Professional Affiliations

  • Leadership Roles
    • President of the Society for Electroanalytical Chemistry
    • Board member of the International Society for Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience
  • Memberships
    • Society for Neuroscience
    • Electrochemical Society
  • Editorial Roles
    • Associate editor for ACS journals, including ACS Chemical Neuroscience and ACS Hemoglobin Chemistry

Interdisciplinary Approach to Science

  • Significance of Interdisciplinary Research
    • Highlights importance of chemistry in solving neuroscience problems
    • Emphasizes understanding molecular interactions for advancements in neuroscience

Lecture Overview

  • Event at Providence College
    • Acknowledged for contributions to neurochemical studies
    • Title of lecture: "Eavesdropping on Neurotransmission from New Analytical Methods to New Insight"

Key Concepts Addressed in Lecture

  • Neurochemical Disorders
    • Symptoms are widespread globally in all demographics
    • Underlying neurophysiological causes remain unclear
  • Neurochemical Dynamics
    • Analyzing fluctuations in neurochemicals is a significant challenge
    • Chemical communication in the brain relies on neurotransmitters released from neurons

Methods of Neurochemical Sensing

  • Microdialysis Technique

    • Utilizes a semi-permeable membrane to extract neurochemicals
    • Slow process to achieve equilibrium between brain and probe
    • Key disadvantage: temporal resolution (one data point every 10-20 minutes) and probe size causing tissue damage

  • Electrochemical Techniques

    • Carbon Fiber Microelectrodes
    • Small, conductive probes used to detect electroactive molecules directly in brain tissue
    • Comparatively less damaging than larger probes
    • Examples of electrochemically active molecules include neurotransmitters like dopamine
    • Amperometry
    • Technique involves holding an electrode at a fixed potential to oxidize nearby dopamine
    • Measures current generated by oxidation as a reflection of dopamine presence
    • Voltammetry
    • Sweeps through a range of potentials to quantify and identify multiple electroactive species simultaneously
    • Offers both qualitative and quantitative analysis, crucial for brain studies

Studying Dopamine Dynamics

  • Dopamine Function
    • Critical for movement control and reward motivation
    • Pathways include the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic pathways
  • Research Findings on Dopamine
    • Fast and spatially heterogeneous release dynamics were observed
    • Cocaine impacts dopamine transporters leading to increased dopamine availability
    • Dopamine signaling is correlated with drug-seeking behavior

Exploring Other Neurotransmitters

  • Glucose and Energy Dynamics
    • Glucose is crucial for brain function and dopamine release
    • Research shows glucose availability significantly affects neurotransmission through various metabolism mechanisms
  • Glutamate Monitoring
    • Involvement in neurotransmission and drug addiction has been established
    • Developed probes for simultaneous measurement of dopamine and glutamate

Research Collaborations and Team

  • Current Research Group
    • Caitlin Turner: Studies serotonin and glucose
    • Kaylee Linder: Focuses on glutamate and dopamine
    • Joe Katoro: Research on opioid neuropeptides
    • Benjamin Meluso: Development of pharmaceutical monitoring electrodes
    • Greg McCarthy: Research professor contributing broadly across projects

Conclusion of Lecture

  • Dr. Somberg invites questions and emphasizes her excitement to share research insights with students tackling challenges in electrochemistry and neuroscience.