Susan J Birren

Professor of Neurobiology

Departments/Programs

Biology
Neuroscience
Psychology
Volen National Center for Complex Systems

Degrees

University of California, Los Angeles, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley, B.A.

Expertise

Developmental neurobiology, Neural control of cardiovascular function

Profile

See my webpage at: http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/faculty/birren.html Webpage

Courses Taught

BIOL	91g	Introduction to Research Practice
NBIO	146a	The Neurobiology of Human Disease
NEUR	91g	Introduction to Research Practice

Awards and Honors

Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar (2018 - 2019)

National Alliance for Autism Research Grant (2003)

Whitehall Foundation Grant (1999 - 2000)

Pew Scholars Award in Biomedical Sciences (1996)

Whitehall Award Research Grant (1996 - 1997)

Damon Runyon-Walter WInchell Cancer Research Fund Postdoctoral (1987 - 1990)

Scholarship

Enes J, Haburčák M, Sona S, Gerard N, Mitchell AC, Fu W, Birren SJ.. "Satellite glial cells modulate cholinergic transmission between sympathetic neurons.." PLoS One 15. 2 (2020): doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218643..

Habecker B.A., Anderson, M.E., Birren, S.J., Fukuda, K., Herring, N., Hoover, D.B., Kanazawa, H., Paterson, D.J., Ripplinger, C.M.. "Molecular and cellular neurocardiology: Development, cellular and molecular adaptations to heart disease." J Physiol. 594. 14 (2016): 3853-3875.

Kreipke, R.E. and Birren, S.J.. "Innervating sympathetic neurons regulate heart size and the timing of cardiomyocyte cell cycle withdrawal.." J. Physiol. 593. (2015): 5057-5073.

Luther, J.A. and Birren, S.J.. "Neurotrophins regulate cholinergic synaptic transmission in cultured rat sympathetic neurons through a p75-dependent mechanism.." J. Neurophys. 109. 2 (2013): 485-496.

Luther, J.A., Enes, J., and Birren, S.J.. "Neurotrophins regulate cholinergic synaptic transmission in cultured rat sympathetic neurons through a p75-dependent mechanism.." J Neurophysiol. 109. 2 (2013): 485-96.

Neseliler, S. , Narayanan, D., Fortis-Santiago, Y., Katz, D.B., and Birren, S.J.. "Genetically induced cholinergic hyperinnervation enhances taste learning.." Front. Syst. Neurosci. 5. (2011): 9.

Vega, A., Luther J.A., Birren, S.J. and Morales, M.A.. "Neurotransmitter segregation in sympathetic neurons can be modulated by CNTF or long periods of culture.." Dev. Neurobiol. 70. 14 (2010): 913-928.

Dore JJ, Dewitt JC, Setty N, Donald MD, Joo E, Chesarone MA, Birren SJ.. "Multiple Signaling Pathways Converge to Regulate Bone-Morphogenetic-Protein-Dependent Glial Gene Expression." Dev Neurosci. 31. (2009): 473-486.

Luther JA, Birren SJ.. "p75 and TrkA signaling regulates sympathetic neuronal firing patterns via differential modulation of voltage-gated currents.." J. Neuroscience 29. 17 (2009): 5411-5424.

Luther, J.A. and Birren, S.J.. "Co-release of norepinephrine and acetylcholine by mammalian sympathetic neurons: regulation by target-derived signaling.." Co-existence and co-release of classical neurotransmitters. Ed. Gutierrez, R.. Springer-Verlag, 2009. 35-53.

Luther, J.A. and Birren, S.J.. "Neurotrophins and target interactions in the development and regulation of sympathetic neuron electrical and synaptic properties.." J. Autonom. Neurosci. 17. 151 (2009): 46-60.

Habecker, B.A., Bilimoria, P., Linick, C., Gritman, K., Woodward, W., and Birren, S.J.. "Regulation of cardiac innervation and function via the p75 neurotrophin receptor.." Autonomic Neurosci. 140. (2008): 40-48.

Moon, J. and Birren, S.J.. "Growth inhibitory effects of target contact on sympathetic neurons are mediated via regulation of a BMP-mediated program.." Dev. Biol. 315. (2008): 404-417.

Lin, P.-Y., Hinterneder, J., and Birren, S.J. 2007. Lin, P.-Y., Hinterneder, J.M., and Birren, S.J.. "Regulation of basal forebrain neuron development by neurotrophins and the p75 receptor.." J. Neurosci. 27. (2007): 12787-96.

Luther, J.A., and Birren, S.J.. "Nerve growth factor decreases potassium currents and alters repetitive firing in rat sympathetic neurons.." J. Neurophys. 96. (2006): 946-958.

Slonimsky, J.D., Mattaliano, M.D., Moon, J., Griffith, L.C., and Birren, S.J.. "Role for calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in the p75-mediated regulation of sympathetic cholinergic transmission.." PNAS 103. (2006): 2915-2919.

Birren,Susan J. "Inhibition of glial maturation by bone morphogenetic protein-2 in a neural crest-derived cell line." Dev. Neuroscience (2005): 37-48.

Birren,Susan J, Slonimsky, J.D., Yang, B., Hinterneder, J., and E. Nokes. "BDNF and CNTF mediate sympathetic neuron cholinergic differentiation via independent mechanisms." Mol. Cell. Neuroscience 23. (2003): 648-660.

Birren,Susan J and Yang, B., Slonimsky, J.D.. "A rapid switch in sympathetic neurotransmitter release properties mediated by the p75 receptor." Nature Neuroscience 5. (2002): 539-545.