Silm Lab
The Silm Lab is focused on understanding how the regulation of neurotransmitter release affects the properties of information processing. We are specifically focused on neuromodulators like dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine, as well as neurons that use multiple neurotransmitters for conveying information about neural activity along brain circuits.

Personal Statement
Problems with neuromodulatory signaling are central to many human diseases, from addiction to movement disorders. Over the past decades, the scientific community has gained significant understanding of the general principles of neurotransmission, including the regulatory mechanisms of neurotransmitter release. However, very little of this research has been conducted in neurons that release neuromodulators, and recent evidence suggests that neuromodulator release differs from the release of fast synaptic transmitters like glutamate. Uncovering the mechanisms behind neuromodulatory signaling is crucial for understanding how these molecules work to assure normal brain function, and what goes wrong in disease states.
Katlin Silm, PhD
Breakthrough Research Areas
- Molecular mechanism of neuromodulator release
- Presynaptic regulation in information processing and brain function
- Role of neurotransmitter co-release in reward processing and movement disorders
Meet Our Team
Learn more about the scientists, faculty members, investigators and other healthcare professionals of the Silm Laboratory, whose dedicated efforts lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
Publications
Silm K, Yang J, Marcott PF, Asensio CS, Eriksen J, Guthrie DA, Newman AH, Ford CP, Edwards RH.
Neuron. 2019 May 22;102(4):786-800.e5.
Zhang XM, François U, Silm K, Angelo MF, Fernandez-Busch MV, Maged M, Martin C, Bernard V, Cordelières FP, Deshors M, Pons S, Maskos U, Bemelmans AP, Wojcik SM, El Mestikawy S, Humeau Y, Herzog E.
Elife. 2019 Oct 30;8:e50401.
Herzog E, Nadrigny F, Silm K, Biesemann C, Helling I, Bersot T, Steffens H, Schwartzmann R, Nägerl UV, El Mestikawy S, Rhee J, Kirchhoff F, Brose N.
J Neurosci. 2011 Oct 26;31(43):15544-59.
Contact the Silm Lab
Cedars-Sinai
127 S. San Vicente Blvd.
Pavilion, 8th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90048