Unveiling the nanoscale organisation and dynamics of synaptic vesicle pools

该项目旨在揭示关键分子在允许脑细胞积极相互交流中的作用。神经元之间的通讯依赖于含有神经递质的突触囊泡与突触前质膜的融合。囊泡膜的加入是短暂的，因为囊泡从质膜快速改革并重新填充神经递质，为随后的融合做好准备。这种循环过程确保神经元有效地进行通信，但其基础机制尚不清楚。该项目旨在使用最近开发的单突触囊泡超分辨率跟踪方法来确定Myosin-VI和Synapsin-IIa如何在中枢和外周神经元中协调这种再循环。它将解释神经元如何设法保持它们的交流能力。

This project aims to uncover the role of key molecules in allowing brain cells to actively communicate with each other. Communication between neurons relies on the fusion of synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters with the presynaptic plasma membrane. The addition of vesicular membrane is transient as the vesicles quickly reform from the plasma membrane and refill with neurotransmitter ready for subsequent rounds of fusion. This recycling process ensures that neurons communicate efficiently, however the underpinning mechanism is unknown. This project aims to use a recently developed single synaptic vesicle super-resolution tracking method to establish how Myosin-VI and Synapsin-IIa orchestrate this recycling in central and peripheral neurons. It will explain how neurons manage to preserve their ability to communicate.