Rate My Professor Vladimir Sytnyk

Associate Professor Vladimir Sytnyk is a cell biologist at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, where he holds a position in the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences within the Faculty of Science. He earned his Specialist degree in 1996 from Dnepropetrovsk National University in Ukraine, followed by a PhD in Biology in 2002 from the Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kiev. Additionally, he obtained a Graduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching from UNSW in 2016. His academic career includes a postdoctoral fellowship from 2002 to 2004 and a subsequent role as Group Leader from 2004 to 2009 at the Institute for Biosynthesis of Neuronal Structures, Centre for Molecular Neurobiology in Hamburg, Germany. Since joining UNSW, he served as Senior Lecturer from 2009 to 2017 before advancing to Associate Professor in 2017.

Sytnyk's research investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which neural cell adhesion molecules regulate synapse formation, maintenance, and function in neurons. His work explores how disruptions in these processes contribute to synapse loss in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and motor neuron disease, utilizing transgenic mouse models. He also develops technologies to modulate neural cell adhesion molecules to enhance brain performance, learning, and memory retention. Key publications include 'Neural cell adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily regulate synapse formation, maintenance, and function' (Trends in Neurosciences, 2017, with Leshchyns'ka I and Schachner M); 'Aβ-dependent reduction of NCAM2-mediated synaptic adhesion contributes to synapse loss in Alzheimer’s disease' (Nature Communications, 2015, with Leshchyns'ka I et al.); 'Neural cell adhesion molecule 2 promotes the formation of filopodia and neurite branching by inducing submembrane increases in Ca²⁺ levels' (Journal of Neuroscience, 2015, with Sheng L and Leshchyns'ka I); and 'NCAM promotes assembly and activity-dependent remodeling of the postsynaptic signaling complex' (Journal of Cell Biology, 2006, with Leshchyns'ka I et al.). Several of his papers have been recommended by F1000Prime. Sytnyk has served as guest editor for Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, including volumes on cell adhesion and migration in 2023 and the interplay between cell adhesion molecules and the cytoskeleton in 2020.