Yesterday, MPFI hosted PhD student Luis Gomez Wulschner from @cumedicalschool.bsky.social for our NeuroMEETS series. He shared his impactful research on how acetylcholine and nicotine shape silent synapses and the implications of prenatal nicotine exposure on the developing brain. Thank you, Luis!

We’re thrilled to announce that Dr. Xin Jin has been named the 2026 Peter Gruss Young Investigator. Her pioneering work developing high-throughput in vivo screening strategies is unraveling the genetic mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders. buff.ly/RI9emVa

Looking for a cutting-edge neuroscience PhD program? IMPRS Alum, Professor Akshay Naraine, says choose one that aligns with your values: "It makes the tough days easier & keeps you satisfied long term." Apply for our IMPRS for Synapses and Circuits PhD program through Dec. 1: bit.ly/4hBHV7P

A huge thank you to Dr. Nicole Wong @strontiumpup.bsky.social from Brandeis for kicking off our NeuroMEETS talk series by sharing her exciting work on the key role of neuronal primary cilia in cortical homeostatic plasticity. Learn more about the NeuroMEETS trainee seminar series buff.ly/1kHaiNL.

Join us in celebrating Dr. Zidan Yang, who has officially earned her PhD through the IMPRS-SC program! In addition to her impactful research into how the brain keeps time, her dedication, curiosity, and collaborative spirit embody the spirit of our training community! Congratulations Dr. Yang!

Dr. @sarahstern.bsky.social is an expert in the brain processes involved with hunger, satiety, & eating disorders. She’s joining a webinar on Oct. 16 at 7pm ET to discuss scientific research on how GLP-1s work & safe options to achieve a healthy weight. Register for her insights: bit.ly/4hdPjWW

When we form a memory, brain cells need to deliver supplies to strengthen specific neural connections. A new study led by MPFI Scientific Director Ryohei Yasuda has revealed how two cellular switches, Rab4 and Rab10, direct supplies to where they are needed. buff.ly/tSTidPc

Choosing a neuroscience grad program? Ashley Juavinett said in Medium, “you also need to be in a place where you can be a happy person.” MPFI checks all the boxes: World class neuroscience, stable research funding, PALM TREES! Read the story: bit.ly/48F3BNQ See offerings: mpfi.org/training/ove...

Scientists from the Nencki Institute and MPFI have described the precise interaction of two proteins, BDNF and MMP-9, at the synaptic cleft during plasticity. This coordinated interaction allows precise strengthening of specific connections – essential for learning & memory. buff.ly/rtEHT3O

Early registration rates for Sunposium 2026 end today! This conference brings together leaders in basic neuroscience research to share their latest insights into circuit function. See the speakers, learn more, and register today before prices increase! mpfi.org/sunposium March 9-11 West Palm Beach

Happy National Postdoc Appreciation Week! This week, and every day, we celebrate the amazing postdocs at @MPFneuro. Your hard work, brilliant minds, and dedication are the backbone of our research. Thank you for all you do to shape the future of neuroscience! #PostdocAppreciationWeek #Postdocs

New findings published in @cp-neuron.bsky.social reveal key circuit changes crucial for developing reliable visual perception. These insights, likely generalizable beyond vision, offer a framework for understanding the brain’s unique ability to rapidly adapt and learn. buff.ly/jqQz4sp

Thinking about attending Sunposium 2026? The early bird registration deadline is September 19th. Curious what makes this conference so special? Our video will give you a glimpse: buff.ly/2FuGjgO Join us March 9–11, 2026, in sunny South Florida. Find more information at buff.ly/zn5aS2b

Today we welcomed @thorlabs.bsky.social president, Jennifer Cable, to MPFI to celebrate the launch of our partnership, which brings together optical engineers and neuroscientists to advance neuroscience research. Here’s to a future of shared discovery and innovation! #MPFI #Thorlabs

Paul Tyagi took his medical research studies coast to coast! After undergrad in California, he joined the MD/PhD program at FAU Schmidt College of Medicine & MPFI. Explore Paul's journey toward his career goal of starting his own biotech company: www.mpfi.org/paul-tyagi-m...

The brain has complex dynamics that give rise to a range of states & behaviors. 🤔 How do we study this complex system? In my lab’s work, we design and optimize biosensors to measure brain activity at the molecular level.

There is still time to recognize the contributions of a rising leader in Neuroscience. Nominate an early-career PI for the PGYI Award by August 1 to celebrate impactful scientific discoveries made through collaboration, creativity, and curiosity. Nominate at buff.ly/fNk8HS4

Today is the LAST day to apply for NeuroMEETS! If you are a PhD student or postdoc doing neuroscience research, apply to share your research as part of our trainee seminar series. Invited speakers will be provided travel & honorarium to visit, share their work & network with us! mpfi.org/neuromeets

I recently spoke about my lab's newest sensors at @embl.org‬'s European Light Microscopy Initiative meeting 🔦 🧠 Sharing progress with the community is key to moving science forward, which is why these sensors, and all our tools, are open source ➡️ www.lintianlab.org/research#tools

Meet MPFI's 2025 High School Internship cohort! These seven talented students have been working alongside our researchers this summer on projects in neuroscience, programming, or mechanical engineering. Read more about these talented students in our latest blog post: mpfi.org/welcome-2025...

📣 Attention neuroscience grad students and postdocs! Only one week left to apply for NeuroMEETS. Present your research, visit MPFI as an invited speaker, and connect with our faculty. Travel, lodging, and an honorarium included. Don't miss out! Apply by July 15 and share with peers. buff.ly/dqXZnTU

Researchers from MPFI’s Imaging Center worked with Dr. Samuel Young from UNC School of Medicine to explore how tiny molecules in the brain impact neural communication which could help better understand & treat neurological disorders like chronic pain, epilepsy, migraines, and more. buff.ly/hLEaTGh

Congratulations Salil Sanjay Bidaye, Ph.D. on receiving an Esther A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund Fellowship Award in Neuroscience for the project, "neural Circuit Mechanisms for Regulating Postural Stability." @salilbidaye.bsky.social @mpfneuro.bsky.social mpfi.org/science/our-...

Thanks to $450,000 Klingenstein Fellowship from the Esther A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund (@klingensteinorg.bsky.social), Dr. Salil Bidaye (@salilbidaye.bsky.social) will advance his research into postural instability—a hallmark of many neurological disorders. Congrats, Dr. Bidaye! buff.ly/z6kNlCq

New research from the Bolton Lab has employed a circuit mapping technique to reveal how the cell-specific loss of the PTEN gene in somatostatin-containing inhibitory neurons reconfigures amygdala circuits and influences behavior. buff.ly/k9qn1GJ

Do you know a young PI making exceptional contributions to neuroscience? Nominate them for the Peter Gruss Young Investigator Award—honoring innovation, collaboration, and curiosity-driven research. Deadline: July 18, 2025 More info: buff.ly/G9BMno5

As the 2024-25 School Year comes to a close, we are excited to share that our scientists and educators reached a record-setting 10,276 students this school year! Thank you to everyone who supported Ask Max. Together, we make a positive impact on education! To learn more, visit mpfi.org/askmax

Thank you to Harshida Pancholi for concluding our NeuroMEETS series with an engaging talk on zebra finch motor control circuitry for singing. Applications for our next PhD student and postdoc series are now being accepted. Apply by July 15 to be considered! buff.ly/VJTxdWJ

Congratulations to MPFI scientist Dr. Yuji Nishiiki on receiving a JSPS fellowship to study how the brain refines movement. This funding supports his research into how learning shapes neural circuits across brain regions for precise movement timing and strength. buff.ly/SRcDMhh

We are thrilled to have ‪@andrewgyork.bsky.social‬ here at MPFI today. Dr York was selected as our postdoc association invited speaker for this year's seminar series. Thank you, Dr. York, for sharing your science and perspectives with our community!

We were thrilled to welcome @jasonsynaptic.bsky.social, Neurobiology Professor at the University of Utah, back to MPFI as part of our seminar series. Dr. Shepherd shared his latest insights into the role of virus-like intercellular transmission in plasticity and the spread of tau pathology.

We are thrilled to be named "Nonprofit of the Year" at the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce Annual Leadership Awards last night. This recognition reflects our passion for education and world-class scientific research. We are so grateful to our scientists, staff, volunteers, and supporters!

Know an exceptional early-career independent scientist? Nominate them for the Peter Gruss Young Investigator Award, honoring outstanding contributions to the scientific community through collaboration, creativity, and curiosity-driven research. Please share! mpfi.org/pgyia

It's #MentalHealthAwareness Month. At MPFI, Dr. Lin Tian's team is uncovering changes in brain signaling in conditions like depression by developing tools to visualize neurotransmitters in real-time. This work brings us closer to improved treatment of mental health challenges. buff.ly/LguhgQU

The new @maxplanck.de Postdoc Program platform is now open for its first ever round of applications! If you're looking for a new research opportunity, check out the full list of open positions👇🏽 postdocprogram.mpg.de/node/3

We loved welcoming our employees’ children to #TakeOurChildrenToWorkDay, where they experienced what makes MPFI such a fun, supportive, and family-friendly place to work. The kids enjoyed science activities, a special lunch together, and a movie. Thank you to everyone who participated & volunteered!

New research from @mpiforbi.bsky.social on European jackdaws reveals that when sleep deprived they prioritize deep sleep, even at the cost of vigilance. This highlights the crucial role of deep sleep. Explore the research, published in @currentbiology.bsky.social: bit.ly/3EFeIKc

Thank you to our incredible corporate sponsors for supporting this year's Advanced Neurotechniques Course! Your partnership helped make this unique training experience possible. Together, we’re pushing the boundaries of what we can see, measure, and understand about the brain.

Today we celebrate Max Planck’s birthday — and yes, even the statue is excited. We owe so much to his revolutionary thinking and relentless curiosity. #MaxPlanck #PhysicsPioneer #BirthdayHatEnergy

Thank you very much to Prachi Shah from Georgetown University for coming to MPFI and sharing your research on memory degradation. Find out how you can be part of NeuroMEETS at mpfi.org/neuromeets

Thank you to the faculty, teaching assistants, sponsors, staff, and participants who brought energy and curiosity to every session. From hands-on experiments to late-night data discussions and new friendships, we are leaving this year’s Advanced Neurotechniques course energized and inspired!

Having so much fun at Max Planck this week learning about cutting edge neural techniques & so much incredible science (and meeting Nobel laureates!) 🧠

Congratulations to the 29 Florida Atlantic University High School – Jupiter Campus seniors who were recognized at our annual Senior Research Symposium. Explore the program & this cohort’s impressive academic achievements: bit.ly/3YADnX1

A warm welcome to all of the students, faculty and sponsors who have traveled from around the world to join us at the 2025 Advanced Neurotechniques Course! We couldn't imagine a more exciting way to kick off the course than with a fantastic keynote lecture from Nobel laureate Stefan Hell!

Happy Graduate Student Appreciation Week from all of us at MPFI! We’re so grateful for the brilliance, dedication, and community spirit our grad students bring every day. You make MPFI a better place—thank you for all that you do! #GradStudentAppreciation

MPFI was honored to host Leadership Palm Beach County's Aspire Speaker Series last week, which focused on the impact of neuroscience on our community, as well as the exciting developments that are on the horizon for South Florida's #BrainCoast. Learn more about the Brain Coast here: bit.ly/3G0CUac

WE DID IT! Thanks to everyone who contributed to our Ask Max matching challenge. Together, we raised $50,000—matched by our generous donors—to bring science into classrooms & inspire future scientists. We’re so grateful to all who believe in the power of STEM education and what #AskMax can achieve.

If you are at @cellpress.bsky.social “Neurometabolism in health and disease”, don’t miss hearing about a new red-shifted dopamine sensor compatible with both fluorescence and lifetime measurements developed by Kwun Nok Mimi Man from @lintianphd.bsky.social lab! Poster P.38, 1:30 – 3:30 Tuesday.

What a way to kick off our grad student NeuroMEETS series! Thank you @alexbchen.bsky.social for visiting and sharing your research into the mechanisms of behavioral switching during frustration and futility-induced giving up. 🔎 Want to learn how you can be part of NeuroMEETS? buff.ly/YG2udIf