Molecular neuroscience
Recent articles
Why we need basic science to better understand the neurobiology of psychedelics
Despite the many psychedelics clinical trials underway, there is still much we don’t know about how these drugs work. Preclinical studies represent our best viable avenue to answer these lingering questions.

Why we need basic science to better understand the neurobiology of psychedelics
Despite the many psychedelics clinical trials underway, there is still much we don’t know about how these drugs work. Preclinical studies represent our best viable avenue to answer these lingering questions.
New dopamine sensor powers three-color imaging in live animals
The tool leverages a previously unused segment of the color spectrum to track the neurotransmitter and can be used with two additional sensors to monitor other neurochemicals at different wavelengths.

New dopamine sensor powers three-color imaging in live animals
The tool leverages a previously unused segment of the color spectrum to track the neurotransmitter and can be used with two additional sensors to monitor other neurochemicals at different wavelengths.
‘Elusive Cures: Why Neuroscience Hasn’t Solved Brain Disorders—and How We Can Change That,’ an excerpt
In her new book, published today, neuroscientist Nicole Rust takes us on her personal quest to spell out the brain research community’s “Grand Plan.”

‘Elusive Cures: Why Neuroscience Hasn’t Solved Brain Disorders—and How We Can Change That,’ an excerpt
In her new book, published today, neuroscientist Nicole Rust takes us on her personal quest to spell out the brain research community’s “Grand Plan.”
How developing neurons simplify their search for a synaptic mate
Streamlining the problem from 3D to 1D eases the expedition—a strategy the study investigators deployed to rewire an olfactory circuit in flies.

How developing neurons simplify their search for a synaptic mate
Streamlining the problem from 3D to 1D eases the expedition—a strategy the study investigators deployed to rewire an olfactory circuit in flies.
Bespoke photometry system captures variety of dopamine signals in mice
The tool tracks the excitation of an engineered protein that senses dopamine’s absolute levels, including fast and slow fluctuations in real time, and offers new insights into how the signals change across the brain.

Bespoke photometry system captures variety of dopamine signals in mice
The tool tracks the excitation of an engineered protein that senses dopamine’s absolute levels, including fast and slow fluctuations in real time, and offers new insights into how the signals change across the brain.
The Transmitter’s favorite podcasts of 2024
Our picks include a deep dive into dopamine, the role of PKMzeta in memory, and studying the stomatogastric ganglion.

The Transmitter’s favorite podcasts of 2024
Our picks include a deep dive into dopamine, the role of PKMzeta in memory, and studying the stomatogastric ganglion.
Hessameddin Akhlaghpour outlines how RNA may implement universal computation
Could the brain’s computational abilities extend beyond neural networks to molecular mechanisms? Akhlaghpour describes how natural universal computation may have evolved via RNA mechanisms.
Hessameddin Akhlaghpour outlines how RNA may implement universal computation
Could the brain’s computational abilities extend beyond neural networks to molecular mechanisms? Akhlaghpour describes how natural universal computation may have evolved via RNA mechanisms.
How to be a multidisciplinary neuroscientist
Neuroscience subfields are often siloed. Embracing an integrative approach during training can help change that.

How to be a multidisciplinary neuroscientist
Neuroscience subfields are often siloed. Embracing an integrative approach during training can help change that.
What are mechanisms? Unpacking the term is key to progress in neuroscience
Mechanism is a common and powerful concept, invoked in grant calls and publication guidelines. But scientists use it in different ways, making it difficult to clarify standards in the field. We asked nine scientists to weigh in.

What are mechanisms? Unpacking the term is key to progress in neuroscience
Mechanism is a common and powerful concept, invoked in grant calls and publication guidelines. But scientists use it in different ways, making it difficult to clarify standards in the field. We asked nine scientists to weigh in.
Male and female brains, Proust, and Catherine Dulac
The 2021 Breakthrough Prize winner explains how reading widely shaped her worldview, and discusses the vomeronasal organ.

Male and female brains, Proust, and Catherine Dulac
The 2021 Breakthrough Prize winner explains how reading widely shaped her worldview, and discusses the vomeronasal organ.
Explore more from The Transmitter
ADSI, leucovorin, autism registry; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 6 October.

ADSI, leucovorin, autism registry; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 6 October.
One year of FlyWire: How the resource is redefining Drosophila research
We asked nine neuroscientists how they are using FlyWire data in their labs, how the connectome has transformed the field and what new tools they would like to see in the future.

One year of FlyWire: How the resource is redefining Drosophila research
We asked nine neuroscientists how they are using FlyWire data in their labs, how the connectome has transformed the field and what new tools they would like to see in the future.
Neurons fuel lung tumors that have spread to brain
Functional synapses between brain cells and cancer cells are key to the metastatic growth, according to new findings from two independent teams.

Neurons fuel lung tumors that have spread to brain
Functional synapses between brain cells and cancer cells are key to the metastatic growth, according to new findings from two independent teams.