Synaptic vesicles

Recent articles

Illustrated portrait of Tim Ryan.

Timothy Ryan on his pivotal switch from studying particle physics to decoding synaptic transmission

Dissuaded from pursuing theoretical physics and deterred by the “long feedback loop” in experimental physics, the National Academy of Sciences member took inspiration from “polymath” Watt Webb and “visionary” Stephen Smith—and learned to work “completely outside his comfort zone.”

By Brady Huggett
1 October 2024 | 70 min listen
lllustration of the junction between two nerve cells.

Multi-omics study captures CNTNAP2’s far-ranging effects

The in-depth approach shows mutations in the autism-linked gene disrupt neuronal growth and communication, as well as mitochondrial gene expression.

By Charles Q. Choi
8 December 2022 | 4 min read
Oil and water with colors behind: blue, green, yellow and red.

How microscopic ‘condensates’ in cells might contribute to autism

A controversial idea about how cells compartmentalize their contents into droplets — like beads of oil in water — could be key to understanding autism, says Julie Forman-Kay.

By Angie Voyles Askham
23 February 2021 | 7 min read

New method exposes structures inside ‘rainbow’ of brain cells

Molecules from alpacas may enable scientists to identify cell types in the brain while also revealing their interior structures.

By Chloe Williams
4 January 2019 | 0 min watch

Dividing autism; novel messengers; million-dollar mark and more

A researcher proposes splitting autism into subtypes, mitochondria make neurotransmitters, and highly successful grantees may face a funding cap.

By Emily Willingham
11 May 2018 | 3 min read

New tool spotlights neuron junctions in living human brains

A new imaging technique allows researchers to illuminate the junctions between neurons in a living person’s brain.

By Rachel Zamzow
19 August 2016 | 2 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Rainbow of dyes maps neurons’ tangled paths in brain

A new method that lets researchers trace the paths of many neurons at once may reveal how neurons go astray in autism.

By Kate Yandell
13 May 2015 | 3 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Suite of methods yields complex model of neuronal junctions

Researchers debuted a three-dimensional model of an average synapse, the point of connection between neurons, in the 30 May issue of Science.

By Kate Yandell
2 July 2014 | 2 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Molecular mechanisms: Autism gene establishes brain links

The autism-linked protein MET is expressed at the junctions between neurons during early brain development in mice, suggesting that it helps establish the connections, according to a study published 21 June in The Journal of Comparative Neurology.

By Jessica Wright
27 August 2013 | 2 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Researchers watch as proteins travel to neuronal junctions

Using high-resolution microscopy, researchers can watch as signaling complexes assemble at neuronal junctions in zebrafish embryos, according to a study published 17 April in Cell Reports.

By Jessica Wright
8 May 2013 | 2 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Cara Pugliese.

Autism program chief among National Institutes of Health layoffs

The termination is one of more than 1,000 employee cuts at the U.S. agency this week.

By Rachel Zamzow
21 February 2025 | 3 min read
Illustration of columns of text with eyes peeking out from behind the central column to look at a bright blue spot.

This paper changed my Life: Bill Newsome reflects on a quadrilogy of classic visual perception studies

The 1970s papers from Goldberg and Wurtz made ambitious mechanistic studies of higher brain functions seem feasible.

By Bill Newsome
21 February 2025 | 6 min read
Interconnected lines form a world map.

Science must step away from nationally managed infrastructure

Scientific data and independence are at risk. We need to work with community-driven services and university libraries to create new multi-country organizations that are resilient to political interference.

By Dan Goodman
20 February 2025 | 7 min read