Lecture topic: From Fusion to Fission: Insights from Modeling
Small synaptic vesicles (SVs) undergo tightly regulated cycles of exocytosis and endocytosis at the presynaptic terminal to sustain neurotransmission. The preservation of their morphological uniformity and protein composition across repeated cycles suggests a strong spatial and temporal coupling between vesicle fusion and retrieval. A key intermediate in this process is the hemifusion diaphragm (HD), a geometrically complex membrane structure that critically regulates pore formation and stability during fusion. In this study, we combine particle-based simulations, field-theoretic calculations, and phenomenological modeling to investigate the physical factors governing pore nucleation and dynamics in HDs. We find that pores preferentially form at the HD rim and that their stability is strongly influenced by membrane tension, line tensions, HD size, and lipid flip-flop dynamics. Notably, pores within the HD are only metastable when the diaphragm is both chemically and mechanically constrained. These insights reveal how cells might exploit biophysical parameters to dynamically control pore formation, offering a deeper understanding of potential mechanisms underlying rapid and efficient synaptic release.

Andrea Musacchio
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund & University of Duisburg-Essen

On June 3, 2025, the Max Planck Schools marked a historic occasion with their inaugural graduation ceremony, held at the Bildungscampus in Heilbronn.
The event honored both the academic success and the innovative research contributions of these talented young scientists from the Cognition, Matter to Life, and Photonics Schools.
We offer our sincere congratulations to all graduates as they embark on the next chapter of their professional journeys.

We held our MtL Spring days earlier this year in this city of science, at the Forum, to learn more about the ecosystem that is being engineered and fostered across the Heilbronn campus.
Read the recap!

We are deeply saddened by the news of the demise of Philippe Bastiaens who was a valued Fellow of the MPS MtL since its founding. 

In tribute to his legacy, our students have shared what Philippe meant to them personally and to the Matter to Life initiative.

Starting in 2025, the Dieter Schwarz Foundation will support the Max Planck Schools. This funding will ensure the continuation of the Max Planck School Matter to Life as well as the other two Max Planck Schools and their future-oriented development into an innovative career program for international talents.
Read the full article on the Max Planck Schools website.