About this Research Topic
The brain is composed of complex circuits of neurons communicating through synapses. The dynamic molecular composition and nanoscale organization of synapses define their functional properties and underlie various cognitive processes, such as learning, memory, and perception. Therefore, understanding synaptic molecular arrangement and function at high spatiotemporal resolution is critical for unraveling brain function and dysfunction, particularly in view of the various synaptopathologies associated with neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.
Recent advances in molecular and genetic tools for visualizing and manipulating biological processes have revolutionized our ability to investigate synaptic organization and function with unprecedented precision and resolution. This includes, for example, the development of small molecule labeling approaches to improve spatiotemporal precision of protein labeling for super-resolution microscopy, the emergence of CRISPR/Cas9 methodologies for studying proteins at the endogenous level, and the recent explosion of fluorescent biosensors and light-activated molecular tools for real-time imaging or manipulation of neurotransmission and cell signaling.
These tools allow researchers to label specific neuronal populations, visualize individual synapses, track the dynamics of synaptic proteins and signaling molecules, and manipulate gene expression and protein function in a cell-type and localization-specific manner. This has led to significant breakthroughs in our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying synaptogenesis, synaptic transmission, activity-dependent plasticity, and the synaptic basis of many neuropathologies.
This Research Topic aims to showcase the latest molecular and genetic tools for high-resolution imaging of synaptic organization and function.
We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that cover a broad range of topics, including but not limited to:
- Novel molecular or genetically-encoded tools for labeling and manipulating synaptic proteins and signaling molecules
- Fluorescent biosensor approaches for studying neurotransmitter release and neuromodulatory signaling molecules during synaptic transmission and plasticity
- Optogenetic tools for controlling synapse formation & function
- Advanced imaging techniques, such as super-resolution microscopy, single-molecule localization microscopy, and electron microscopy, for visualizing synaptic ultrastructure, protein organization, and dynamics
- Omics approaches, such as transcriptomics and proteomics, for characterizing the molecular composition and heterogeneity of synapses
- Computational models and simulations of synaptic function and plasticity based on high-resolution imaging, molecular and genetic data
By bringing together cutting-edge research on molecular and genetic tools for synaptic imaging, this Research Topic will provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and collaborations among researchers in the field.
We hope this collection will advance our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying synaptic function and plasticity and inspire new approaches for diagnosing and treating brain disorders linked to synaptic dysfunctions occurring both during the finely tuned developmental phase and throughout adulthood.
Recent advances in molecular and genetic tools for visualizing and manipulating biological processes have revolutionized our ability to investigate synaptic organization and function with unprecedented precision and resolution. This includes, for example, the development of small molecule labeling approaches to improve spatiotemporal precision of protein labeling for super-resolution microscopy, the emergence of CRISPR/Cas9 methodologies for studying proteins at the endogenous level, and the recent explosion of fluorescent biosensors and light-activated molecular tools for real-time imaging or manipulation of neurotransmission and cell signaling.
These tools allow researchers to label specific neuronal populations, visualize individual synapses, track the dynamics of synaptic proteins and signaling molecules, and manipulate gene expression and protein function in a cell-type and localization-specific manner. This has led to significant breakthroughs in our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying synaptogenesis, synaptic transmission, activity-dependent plasticity, and the synaptic basis of many neuropathologies.
This Research Topic aims to showcase the latest molecular and genetic tools for high-resolution imaging of synaptic organization and function.
We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that cover a broad range of topics, including but not limited to:
- Novel molecular or genetically-encoded tools for labeling and manipulating synaptic proteins and signaling molecules
- Fluorescent biosensor approaches for studying neurotransmitter release and neuromodulatory signaling molecules during synaptic transmission and plasticity
- Optogenetic tools for controlling synapse formation & function
- Advanced imaging techniques, such as super-resolution microscopy, single-molecule localization microscopy, and electron microscopy, for visualizing synaptic ultrastructure, protein organization, and dynamics
- Omics approaches, such as transcriptomics and proteomics, for characterizing the molecular composition and heterogeneity of synapses
- Computational models and simulations of synaptic function and plasticity based on high-resolution imaging, molecular and genetic data
By bringing together cutting-edge research on molecular and genetic tools for synaptic imaging, this Research Topic will provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and collaborations among researchers in the field.
We hope this collection will advance our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying synaptic function and plasticity and inspire new approaches for diagnosing and treating brain disorders linked to synaptic dysfunctions occurring both during the finely tuned developmental phase and throughout adulthood.
Keywords: Protein labeling techniques, Genetically modified proteins, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, High-resolution imaging, Genetic Code Expansion, Click Chemistry, Live-cell imaging, Fluorescent biosensors, Optogenetic tools
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
