The synaptic vesicle cluster as a regulator of presynaptic biomechanics (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 second funding period, we found that the synaptic vesicle cluster can regulate the organization of the local cytoskeleton. This implies that it may also regulate presynaptic biomechanics, since the cytoskeleton is a well-known modulator of cellular morphology, mobility, and mechanical properties. However, neither the extent, nor the regulatory mechanisms of these biomechanical properties have been investigated at the presynapse. We plan to explore this hypothesis, by a combination of cell-free experiments and neuronal analyses.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1286: Quantitative Synaptology
• Applicant Institution: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Sarah Köster; Dr. Sofiia Reshetniak