Making, unmaking and remaking neuronal connections - Bassem Hassan

Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.
Theodosius Dobzhansky

Short CV - Bassem Hassan 1996. PhD with Harald Vaessin, Ohio State University, USA 1996-2001. Post doc with Hugo Bellen, HHMI/Baylor College of Medicine, USA 2001 - Present. Group leader at VIB and professor at KUL, Leuven, Belgium Contact Laboratory of Neurogenetics Department of Human Genetics Flanders Interuniversity Institute of Biotechnology (VIB) KU Leuven School of medicine

research interest

Our lab is interested in the mechanisms of the development of neuronal lineages. We use bioinformatics, genetic, molecular and cell biological approaches to unravel the interactions which lead to the differentiation of functional neuronal elements.
Our main tool is the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Our main goal is to unravel the genetic interactions which control the behavior of neurons from their specification to the establishment of neuronal circuits. We also have an interest in understanding how neurons respond to perturbations in connectivity patterns, such as those resulting from axonal injury, and how they act to re-establish injured circuits.

We have developed three key focus areas in our research. First we are interested in understanding the regulatory interactions and transcription factors that control the selection of neural precursor cells.
Second, we are investigating the roles of transcription factors in later events of neuronal differentiation, with particular focus on the mechanisms which regulate neuronal arborization. Previously we have been able to show that transcription factors that regulate early neurogenesis are involved at various stages of neuronal development.
Third, the realization that many, if not most, genetically controlled neuronal pathologies result from aberrations in normal developmental processes, has lead us to investigate human disease genes underlying neurodegenerative and mental retardation disorders.
The goal here is establish genetic models for human diseases, while simultaneously using the power of fly genetics to understand the normal developmental functions of “disease genes”.

What attracted you to this kind of work?
The intrinsic beauty of a neuron coupled with the elegance and power of fly genetics. You could say the attraction is essentially esthetic! I just wanted to utilize this combination. From a human perspective how neurons connect directly forms the anatomical infrastructure of behavior. Even subtle losses of that connectivity, the can change your emotions, thoughts or even identity with often distressing impact on a life.

What's the best/worst thing about your work?
The best aspect of research is the moment of discovery. “The Eureka moment” when the result reveals the answer.
The worst aspect is the terribly boring but inevitable admin duties that come with an academic position.

What are the aims of your research?
The primary aim of our research is to decode the genetic logic of neuronal circuit formation from the moment of the birth of neurons to the moment they connect. I dream of someday simulating this process computationally.

How does your work impact on the world outside the lab?
It’s difficult to determine the specific impact of our research at this point. Many disorders are directly affected by neural connections. We are trying to discover the secrets of how connections are made in order to predict what goes wrong in these disorders. We also want to explore how certain connections posses the fundamental ability to repair themselves. Basic research reveals nature in its greatness and I have learned that it is better to discover the truth than to make assumptions about it.

Would you recommend this area of research to others?
Follow your heart. Don’t be naive but do something that you are fascinated with, there are so many questions to explore.

What do you find exciting about your research?
When you think about it figuring out how genes build brains is the ultimate scientific question: the brain analyzing itself. The research is interesting in all its aspects; on the rational, aesthetic and social levels. Working in a dynamic lab with a constant infusion of new young talent and ideas ensures scientists never grow old.

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