Description:

Edwin Chapman, PhD
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Ricardo Miledi Professor of Neuroscience
UW Medical Foundation Professor
Director, Quantitative Membrane Biophysics Program
University of Wisconsin

Abstract:

Synaptic vesicle exocytosis mediates rapid chemical communication between neurons. Despite the importance of these organelles, little is known concerning how they are created and recycled, and virtually nothing is known regarding their physical properties; I will briefly touch on each of these questions. Then, l will outline current efforts to address the nanomechanics of the synaptic vesicle-plasma membrane fusion reaction, using DNA origami and nanodiscs. Finally, I will delve, more deeply, into synaptic vesicle dynamics, including how they are controlled – in surprising ways – by different Ca2+ sensors, to mediate aspects of short-term synaptic plasticity, including paired pulse facilitation and synaptic depression. This latter work also results in a new model for asynchronous neurotransmitter release