Research in this laboratory is focused on investigating memory formation at the molecular, cellular and systems levels of analysis. In specific, we study the roles of signaling proteins, such as kinases, phosphatases, and transcription factors in information storage in the mammalian brain. We also test hypotheses about whether multiple memory systems, which are specialized for different kinds of memory, are independent or interactive during memory formation and recall. A final interest is the application of findings about molecular and cellular mechanisms of memory to studies of age-related memory impairment under normal (e.g. non-pathological) aging conditions. Research on these aims is conducted in parallel and combines behavioral analyses of learning and memory in rats with molecular-biological techniques.
One of our research strategies is to test hypotheses about the roles of proteins in memory formation by altering their levels or function locally and in a time-controlled manner using viral-mediated gene transfer. Viral vectors are designed to cause expression of either wild-type or mutant forms of proteins, such as CREB, that are known to be important for memory formation. Using these techniques we have been able to cause memory enhancement as well as impairment and are working currently on strategies to prevent and recover age-associated memory loss.
Recent Publications
1. Colombo, P.J. (2004). Learning-induced activation and expression of transcription factors among multiple memory systems. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 82, 268-277.22. Colombo, P.J. & Gold, P.E. (2004). Multiple memory systems. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 82, 169-170.
2. Countryman, R.A., Orlowski, J.D., Brightwell, J.J., Oskowitz, A.Z. & Colombo, P.J. (2005). CREB phosphorylation and c-Fos expression in the hippocampus of rats during acquisition and recall of a socially transmitted food preference. Hippocampus. 15:1, 56-67.
3.Brightwell, J.J, Smith, C.A., Countryman, R.A, Neve, R.L. & Colombo, P.J. (2005). Hippocampal overexpression of mutant CREB blocks long-term but not short-term memory for a socially transmitted food preference. Learning and Memory, 12, 12-17.
4. Countryman, R.A., Kaban, N.L. & Colombo, P.J. (2005). Hippocampal c-fos is necessary for long-term memory of a socially transmitted food preference. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. 84, 175-183.
5. Arumugam, H., Liu, X., Colombo, P.J., Corriveau, R.A., Belousov, A.B. (2005). NMDA receptors regulate developmental gap junction uncoupling via CREB signaling. Nature Neuroscience, 8 (12), 1720-1726.
6. Smith, C.A., Countryman, R.A, Sahuque, L.L., & Colombo, P.J. (2007). Timecourses of Fos expression in rat hippocampus and neocortex following acquisition and recall of a socially transmitted food preference. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 88, 65-74.
7. Brightwell-Petta, J., Smith, C.A., Neve, R.L., & Colombo, P.J. (2007) Long-term memory for place-learning is facilitated by expression of cAMP response element-binding protein in the dorsal hippocampus Learning and Memory, 14, 195-199.
8. Brightwell, J.J., Smith, C.A., Neve, R.L., & Colombo, P.J. (2008) Transfection of mutant CREB in the striatum, but not the hippocampus, impairs long-term memory for response learning. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 89 27-35.
9. Smith, C.A., East, B.S., & Colombo, P.J. (2010) The orbitofrontal cortex is not necessary for acquisition or remote recall of socially transmitted food preferences Behavioural Brain Research, 208 243–249.
10. Colombo, P.J. East, B.S. Jr., Crawley, M. E. & Hill, A.R. (In Press) Aging and the Brain. In V.S. Ramachandran (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Human Behavior , 2nd Edition, London: Elsevier.