Carl J. Shapiro Science Center, 1-08A
DegreesHarvard University, Ph.D.
Cornell University, B.A.
ExpertiseThe ultimate goal of my laboratory is to identify the full complement of molecules that are required for directing proper neural circuit formation in the mammalian central nervous system. To this end, we pioneered an unbiased, forward genetic, RNAi-based screen in cultured primary neurons to identify new molecules that regulate neuronal connectivity. We are currently using gene knockdown and gene targeting approaches both in vitro and in vivo to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which two genes discovered in my screen, Rem2 and Sema4D, regulate synapse and dendrite development.
ProfileDr. Paradis received her BA from Cornell University and her PhD in Genetics from Harvard Medical School. Her thesis research, performed in the laboratory of Dr. Gary Ruvkun, investigated the genetic program that regulates lifespan in the nematode C. elegans. During her postdoctoral fellowship in the lab of Dr. Michael Greenberg at Harvard Medical School, she identified new molecules required for synapse formation. Her own lab at Brandeis University focuses on how intact circuits form in the mammalian CNS by defining the genes that instruct neurons to modify their synaptic connections and dendritic morphology in response to changes in sensory experience. Dr. Paradis has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Society for Neuroscience Career Development Award in 2007 and Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship in 2009.
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Awards and Honors
German-American Kavli Frontiers of Science Symposium participant (2012)
Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow (2009 - 2011)
Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Award (2009 - 2011)
Smith Family Award for Excellence in Biomedical Research (2008 - 2011)
Society for Neuroscience Career Development Award (2007)
Ghiretti A.E. and Paradis, S.. "Molecular mechanisms of activity-dependent changes in dendritic morphology: role of the RGK proteins.." Trends Neurosci 37. 7 (2014): 399-407.
Ghiretti, A.E., Moore, A.R., Brenner, R.G., Chen, L.-F., West, A.E., Lau, N.C., Van Hooser, S.D., and Paradis, S.. "Rem2 is an activity-dependent negative regulator of dendritic complexity in vivo.." J Neurosci. 34. 2 (2014): 392-407.
Raissi, A.J., Scangarello, F.A., Hulce, K.R., Pontrello, J.K., and Paradis, S.. "Enhanced potency of the metalloprotease inhibitor TAPI-2 by multivalent display." Bioorg Med Chem Letters. 24. (2014): 2002-7..
Ghiretti, A.E., Kenny, K., Marr, M.T.2nd and Paradis, S. "CaMKII-dependent phosphorylation of the GTPase Rem2 is required to restrict dendritic complexity." Journal of Neuroscience 33. 15 (2013): 8961-73.
Moore, A.R., Ghiretti, A.E., and Paradis, S.. "A loss-of-function analysis reveals that endogenous Rem2 promotes functional glutamatergic synapse formation and restricts dendritic complexity.." PLOS One 8. 8 (2013): e74751.
Raissi, A.J., Staudenmaier, E.K., David, S., Hu, L., Paradis, S.. "Sema4D localizes to synapses and regulates GABAergic synapse development as a membrane-bound molecule in the mammalian hippocampus.." Mol. Cell Neurosci. 57. (2013): 23-32.
Zeng, M., Kuzirian, M.S., Harper, L., Paradis, S., Nakayam, T., Lau, N.. "Organic small hairpin RNAs (OshR): a Do-It-Yourself platform for transgene-based gene silencing." Methods 63. 2 (2013): 101-9.
Kuzirian, M. S., Paradis, S.. "Emerging themes in GABAergic synapse development." Prog Neurobiol 95. 1 (2011): 68-87.
Paradis, Suzanne G.. "The GTPase Rem2 regulates synapse development and dendritic morphology." Developmental Neurobiology Epub 29 Dec 2010 PMID: 21191980. ePub (2010): ePub.
Paradis, Suzanne. "Pathfinding Molecules Branch Out: Semaphorin Family Members Regulate Synapse Development." The Sticky Synapse: Cell Adhesion Molecules and Their Role in Synapse Formation and Maintenance. Ed. Hortsch, M. and Umemori, H. New York: Springer, 2009