Dr. Yuriy M. Usachev, an Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Anesthesia, has received a new R01 grant from the NIH/NINDS (NS087068) titled "Mitochondria fission and fusion (MFF)-dependent mechanisms in neuronal toxicity". Dr. Stefan Strack, a Professor of Pharmacology and Pathology, is a Co-Investigator on this grant. This project will examine the roles of the mitochondrial transporters MCU and MCUb, and the accessory molecules MICU1-MICU3 in mitochondrial Ca2+ transport, Ca2+ signaling and toxicity in neurons, and investigate how alteration of the mitochondrial architecture affects MCU/MCUb-mediated Ca2+ transport and Ca2+ homeostasis in neurons exposed to excitotoxic conditions or ischemia. These studies may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for neuroprotection in stroke and neurodegenerative disorders.