Tao Lu Ph.D._生物行

L-335A Auditory Neuroscience
Oregon Health & Science University
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd,
Portland, OR 97239
Phone: 503-494-2967 (W)
Email: lut@ohsu.edu
Tao Lu
Research
Experience &
Peer-Reviewed
Research
Articles
1999–the present Oregon Health & Science Univ. Portland, OR
Research Associate
 Lu T, Rubio ME, Trussell LO. “Glycinergic transmission shaped
by the co-release of GABA in a mammalian auditory synapse.”
Neuron. 2008; 57(4):524-35.
I found that GABA, when co-released with glycine, directly modifies
postsynaptic glycine receptor and reduces the duration of glycinergic
synaptic transmission. This is of particular significance in auditory
system because the temporal precision and brevity of inhibition is
recognized as crucial for functions such as sound source localization.
I also suggested more general utilization of this novel mechanism for
synaptic fine-tuning, i.e. mixing of ligands of different affinities in
synaptic vesicles.
The background and significance of this study was discussed in a
Preview article in the same issue by Dr. Joshua Singer of
Northwestern University.
 Lu T, Trussell LO. “Development and elimination of excitatory
synapses in chick cochlea nucleus.” The Journal of
Neuroscience. 2007; 27(4):808-17.
In a unique endbulb synapse preparation, I found that for synapses
competing for postsynaptic targets, those destined for elimination
have significantly smaller quantal size. This is consistent with earlier
observations in peripheral nervous system, but is controversial for
CNS synapses. Proper function of the auditory system requires
precise tonotopic projections arising from such elimination of
supernumerary synapses. The endbulb preparation and the
methodology described in this study may be well suited for testing
molecules suspected of initiating or mediating synapse elimination.
The Journal of Neuroscience featured this study in the section “This
Week In The Journal.”
 Lu T, Trussell LO. “Mixed excitatory and inhibitory GABAmediated
transmission in chick cochlear nucleus.” Journal of
Physiology. 2001; 535(Pt 1):125-31.
In this Rapid Report, I noted a GABAergic synapse with consistently
depolarized reversal potential, regardless of the developmental stage.
Surprisingly, this synapse is capable of either exciting or inhibiting the
postsynaptic neurons, depending on the activation context. This
further expands the spectrum of functional roles played by GABAergic
synapses in CNS.
1997-1999 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI
Postdoctoral Fellow
 Lu T, Trussell LO. “Inhibitory transmission mediated by
asynchronous transmitter release.” Neuron. 2000; 26(3):683-
94.
I demonstrated in a GABAergic synapse that asynchronous release
might dominate inhibitory synaptic transmission with high level of
activity. I also argued, by using pharmacological and modeling
approaches, that asynchronous and synchronous releases may share
in their respective pools of vesicles and exocytotic Ca++ sensors. The
smooth inhibitory tone arising from the enhanced asynchronous
release may help preserve the temporal precision of spiking for
neurons in the auditory brainstem.
The background and significance of this study was discussed in a
Preview article in the same issue by Dr. Sacha Nelson of Brandeis
University.
1991–1996 Shanghai Institute of Physiology, Chinese
Academy of Sciences Shanghai, China
Candidate for Ph.D. in Neurophysiology
 Shen Y, Lu T, and Yang XL. “Modulation of desensitization at
glutamate receptors in isolated crucian carp horizontal cells by
concanavalin A, cyclothiazide, aniracetam and PEPA.”
Neuroscience. 1999; 89(3):979-90.
 Lu T, Shen Y, and Yang XL. “Desensitization of AMPA
receptors on horizontal cells isolated from crucian carp retina.”
Neuroscience Research. 1998; 31(2):123-35.
 Lu T, Yang XL. “The dissociation, morphology and
physiological properties of retinal horizontal cells.” Chinese
Journal of Neuroanatomy. 1995; 11(4):299-306.
Education 1991-1996 Shanghai Institute of Physiology, Chinese
Academy of Sciences Shanghai, China
Ph.D. in Neurophysiology
1987-1991 Beijing University Beijing, China
Bachelor in Science (Major: Physiology, Biophysics) (责任编辑：泉水)

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Tao Lu Ph.D.