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We are very excited to present our newest publication on “Monoamine-induced diacylglycerol signaling rapidly accumulates Unc13 in nanoclusters for fast presynaptic potentiation”.

In this publication we show how monoaminergic signaling and the mechanisms underlying this signaling can enhance neurotransmission within one minute and compact active zones by targeting the Unc13 protein.

We would like to thank our collaborators Dr. Stephan Sigrist and Dr. Martin Heine for the their support in this publication.

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We here would like to present our newest article in collaboration with Dr. Stefanie Winkelmann’s lab on “Parameter Optimization for a Neurotransmission Recovery Model”.

This article by Ernst. et al 2025 models data from Meida et al. 2023 (our lab) to understand active zone release sites with a simplified model covering maturation, fusion, and recovery of synapses.

We are always looking to collaborate and encourage collaborations, so we hope you enjoy this article.

We would like to give a huge congratulations to Dr. Natalie Blaum for successfully defending her Ph.D. Thesis! Over the past 4 years, she has worked on understanding molecular mechanisms of octopamine mediated synaptic potentiation in the Drosophila melanogaster. This is a huge achievement, and we are so very proud of you, and you did such a wonderful job in your presentation and defending your thesis!

We would also like to thank the censors/opponents, Dr. Andrew Frank from the University of Iowa and Dr. David Owald from the Charité Universitätsmedizin in Berlin for their input, advice, and lively discussion. We all enjoyed the discussion.

We would also like to thank Dr. Nanna MacAulay for also supporting Natalie throughout her thesis and for her introduction at Natalie’s defense.

If you would like to see the projects Natalie worked on in her thesis we will link them below:

Unc13A dynamically stabilizes vesicle priming at synaptic release sites for short-term facilitation and homeostatic potentiation

Monoamine-induced diacylglycerol signaling rapidly accumulates Unc13 in nanoclusters for fast presynaptic potentiation

Again, The Walter Lab is so very proud of Natalie, and are looking forward to what she does in the future!

We would like to welcome Erika Uddström to the lab as a rotational student in the NAD program! She will be learning how to utilize computational methods to understand how the synapse organizes.

Welcome Erika!

Independently engaging protein tethers of different length enhance synaptic vesicle trafficking to the plasma membrane

Click here to read more!

Using computational modelling, we show that proteins and protein complexes of different lengths, such as synaptotagmin-1, Munc13, and the SNARE complex, as well as their abundance at the active zone can enhance synaptic vesicle trafficking to the plasma membrane

We would like to welcome Dr. Mechi Bengochea and Pontus LeBlanc to the Walter Lab!

Dr. Bengochea will be setting up and working on behavioral experiments for the lab, while Pontus will be helping out with our fly husbandry, imaging experiments, and cell culture. We are very excited to have these new members so we can further study neuronal communication and plasticity in the Drosophila melanogaster model organism!

The Walter Lab is happy to announce that we, in collaboration with the Sørensen Lab, are hosting a Symposium in Synapse in Health and Disease in Copenhagen from January 23- 25, 2025!

Join us for an exciting international symposium exploring cutting-edge research in synapse biology, featuring world-renowned experts from prestigious institutes. This event will dive into key topics such as:

·       Molecular Studies of the Synapse

·       Synaptic Vesicle States

·       Neuromodulation

·       Long Range Plasticity in the Nervous System

·       Diseases of the Nervous System

·       Neuronal Cell Biology

·       Molecular Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter Release

·       Sensory Processing

The symposium provides a platform for both leading scientists and junior researchers, including PhD students, postdocs, and students in Neuroscience and related fields, to engage and collaborate.

Venue:

Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen

Set in the heart of Copenhagen, surrounded by the beautiful sites of this Scandinavian capital.

Networking Opportunities:

Reception: On the first evening, a reception will be held for all attendees to encourage networking and exchange of ideas.

Poster Sessions: Present your research and engage with peers.

Short Talks: Selected from submitted abstracts.

Dinner: For speakers of invited speakers.

This is a unique opportunity to connect with experts at the forefront of neuroscience research. We look forward to welcoming you to Copenhagen!

Click here to sign up!

We had a wonderful lab outing canoeing north of Copenhagen!The weather was very nice while we canoed, and in classic Copenhagen fashion, it began to rain as soon as we finished, we lucked out! It was fun to watch us learn to canoe with each other and adapt to how we paddled around, a very "hygge" experience.

We at the Walter Lab would like to congratulate Dr. Manon Berns for an amazing defense of her Ph.D. Dissertation on the "Molecular Mechanisms of Synaptic Transmission Investigated Using Mathematical Models". She has worked so hard these last few years, and it's no surprise she has achieved her Doctorate! We wish her the best to her and her future endeavors.

We would also like to congratulate Simona Buccolo M.Sc. for successfully defending her Masters Thesis on "Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Regulating Presynaptic Homeostatic Potentiation".

Congratulations to both again for their hard work and dedication!

Synaptotagmin 7 docks synaptic vesicles to support facilitation and Doc2α-triggered asynchronous release

Using electrophysioloygy, electro microscopy, fluoresence imaging, and mathematical modeling, we find that Doc2alpha is the major Ca2+ sensor for asynchronous release, while Sytnaptotagmin7 play a supporting role in this release via docking mechanisms

Read more here!