Astrocytes
Recent articles
This paper changed my life: Shane Liddelow on two papers that upended astrocyte research
A game-changing cell culture method developed in Ben Barres’ lab completely transformed the way we study astrocytes and helped me build a career studying their reactive substates.

This paper changed my life: Shane Liddelow on two papers that upended astrocyte research
A game-changing cell culture method developed in Ben Barres’ lab completely transformed the way we study astrocytes and helped me build a career studying their reactive substates.
Unexpected astrocyte gene flips image of brain’s ‘stalwart sentinels’
The genetic marker upends the accepted orientation of non-star-like astrocytes in the glia limitans superficialis.

Unexpected astrocyte gene flips image of brain’s ‘stalwart sentinels’
The genetic marker upends the accepted orientation of non-star-like astrocytes in the glia limitans superficialis.
Food for thought: Neuronal fuel source more flexible than previously recognized
The cells primarily rely on glucose—rather than lactate from astrocytes—to generate energy, according to recent findings in mice.

Food for thought: Neuronal fuel source more flexible than previously recognized
The cells primarily rely on glucose—rather than lactate from astrocytes—to generate energy, according to recent findings in mice.
Cracking the code of the extracellular matrix
Despite evidence for a role in plasticity and other crucial functions, many neuroscientists still view these proteins as “brain goop.” The field needs technical advances and a shift in scientific thinking to move beyond this outdated perspective.

Cracking the code of the extracellular matrix
Despite evidence for a role in plasticity and other crucial functions, many neuroscientists still view these proteins as “brain goop.” The field needs technical advances and a shift in scientific thinking to move beyond this outdated perspective.
Astrocytes star in memory storage, recall
The cells, long cast as support players in memory research, can activate or disrupt fear memories, according to a new study.

Astrocytes star in memory storage, recall
The cells, long cast as support players in memory research, can activate or disrupt fear memories, according to a new study.
‘SNAP’ dance of astrocytes and neurons falls out of step with age, disease
The findings add to growing evidence that astrocytes are star players in cognition.

‘SNAP’ dance of astrocytes and neurons falls out of step with age, disease
The findings add to growing evidence that astrocytes are star players in cognition.
Dispute erupts over role of sticky proteins in astrocytes
But multiple independent researchers say they are not convinced by its results, which fail to confirm high-profile findings from 2017.

Dispute erupts over role of sticky proteins in astrocytes
But multiple independent researchers say they are not convinced by its results, which fail to confirm high-profile findings from 2017.
Latest ‘prime-editing’ tools tackle delivery, safety issues
The gene-editing advances make it easier to target specific tissues in mice and detect off-target effects.

Latest ‘prime-editing’ tools tackle delivery, safety issues
The gene-editing advances make it easier to target specific tissues in mice and detect off-target effects.
Astrocytes fuel erratic firing in fragile X neurons
A shift in astrocyte secretions may explain the atypical firing patterns of neurons derived from people with fragile X syndrome.

Astrocytes fuel erratic firing in fragile X neurons
A shift in astrocyte secretions may explain the atypical firing patterns of neurons derived from people with fragile X syndrome.
Beyond the bench: At school with Verónica Martínez Cerdeño
Spectrum caught up with the University of California, Davis professor about her passion for volunteering in underserved schools, birding and fossil-hunting.

Beyond the bench: At school with Verónica Martínez Cerdeño
Spectrum caught up with the University of California, Davis professor about her passion for volunteering in underserved schools, birding and fossil-hunting.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Documenting decades of autism prevalence; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 28 April.

Documenting decades of autism prevalence; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 28 April.
‘Perturb and record’ optogenetics probe aims precision spotlight at brain structures
The tool provides a new way to characterize cells and study neuronal circuits.

‘Perturb and record’ optogenetics probe aims precision spotlight at brain structures
The tool provides a new way to characterize cells and study neuronal circuits.
Tracking single neurons in the human brain reveals new insight into language and other human-specific functions
Better technologies to stably monitor cell populations over long periods of time make it possible to study neural coding and dynamics in the human brain.

Tracking single neurons in the human brain reveals new insight into language and other human-specific functions
Better technologies to stably monitor cell populations over long periods of time make it possible to study neural coding and dynamics in the human brain.