Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Presynapse Formation Assay Using Presynapse Organizer Beads and “Neuron Ball” Culture
Published on: August 2, 2019
Genetic analysis of synaptic target recognition and assembly
1Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.
Abstract:
Formation of synapses by neurons onto specific targets is essential to the function of a nervous system. The isolation and analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila mutants with synaptogenesis defects has provided insight into the functions of evolutionarily conserved molecules at single-synapse resolution. Importantly, such studies have uncovered novel molecules and signaling mechanisms. Here, recent progress on synaptic target recognition and synaptic assembly are reviewed.

