An in vitro approach to understanding the structure-organizing role of the vesicle cluster (B02)

• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells ; Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 317475864

During the previous funding period, we verified the hypothesis that synaptic vesicles bind soluble proteins, including exo- and endocytosis cofactors, and maintain them in the synapse. We now plan to follow up on these findings by testing the link between the synaptic vesicle cluster and the cytoskeleton of the presynapse. We will differentiate between two hypotheses of presynaptic organization: 1) the synaptic cytoskeleton serves to organize the vesicle clusters, and 2) alternatively, the vesicles organize the synaptic cytoskeleton. We will use a combination of in vitro imaging and in vitro manipulation tools.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1286: Quantitative Synaptology
• Applicant Institution: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Sarah Köster; Professor Silvio-Olivier Rizzoli, Ph.D.