Biochemist Rafael Franco, head of the Molecular Neurobiology Unit at the Institut d "Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) in Barcelona, has developed a technique to detect a new interaction between receptors involved in neurotransmission. The results have just been published in Nature Methods. Dr. Franco is currently doing a stay of sabbatical year at the area of Neurosciences of the research center Applied Medicine (CIMA) of the University of Navarra.

The work published in Nature Methods describes a new method to detect whether there is interaction between three receptors. One of the most important applications of this study focuses on the nervous system. According to the biochemist, "from the point of view of researcher it offers the opportunity to learn more about how the brain works, which will result in a better approach to neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases".

http://www.nature.com/nmeth/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nmeth.1229.html