Basket cells convert excitatory signals into inhibitory outputs within milliseconds; researchers identify controlled increase in Na+ channels and conductance for fast transmission. Signal processing is made possible by high density of Na+ channels and increased conductance, compensating for small axon diameter and lack of myelination.
Researchers have discovered a key function of plant hormone auxin in regulating the organization of the cell's inner skeletons. Auxin interacts with transmembrane kinases to activate ROP GTPases, which affect cytoskeleton structure.
Researchers at IST Austria found loose coupling between calcium channels and sensors in a specific synapse, challenging the view that it's a developmental phenomenon. This discovery has implications for synaptic plasticity and the function of neurotransmission.
The study reveals that theta-gamma oscillations in the hippocampus are generated by excitatory and inhibitory synaptic signals, which provide rhythmic signals for temporal coding. The researchers also found that granule cell neurons send signals only at specific times during the cycle of oscillations.
Researchers from the Carl-Philipp Heisenberg group have identified a key mechanism for limiting tissue tension during cell division, enabling epithelial closure and wound healing. By orienting cell division through mechanical tension, cells can maintain their integrity and ensure proper tissue development.
Researchers reveal that inhibitory interneuron circuits change their firing rates during map formation and flickering, playing a crucial role in learning. The study also shows that these changes are due to map-specific connections between pyramidal cells and interneurons.
IST Austria professor Peter Jonas is one of three Austrian collaborators in the €1 billion Human Brain Project. He contributes his research on cellular and subcellular parameters, crucial for accurate modeling of the brain.
Researchers at IST Austria found that immune cells follow gradients of guidance cues, which are bound to the tissue, to navigate through the skin. The cells use a mixed strategy, combining sensing of soluble and insoluble cues, to find their way back to lymphatic vessels.