Crossing barriers at the axon initial segment
Theo Murphy meeting organised by Professor Matthew Grubb, Professor Maren Engelhardt and Professor Maarten H P Kole
The axon initial segment is at the centre of neuronal computations in the nervous system, as a dynamic barrier that regulates both polarized transport and the flow of electrical information. Our meeting explores cutting-edge interdisciplinary work from international experts crossing their own barriers to discuss the very latest work in this emerging research field.
Programme
The programme, including speaker biographies and abstracts, is available below but please note the programme may be subject to change.
Poster session
There will be a poster session on Monday 7 December 2026. Registered attendees will be invited to submit a proposed poster title and abstract (up to 200 words). Acceptances may be made on a rolling basis so we recommend submitting as soon as possible in case the session becomes full. Submissions made within one month of the meeting may not be included in the programme booklet.
Attending this event
- Free to attend and in-person only
- When requesting an invitation, please briefly state your expertise and reasons for attending
- Requests are reviewed by the meeting organisers on a rolling basis. You will receive a link to register if your request has been successful
- Catering options will be available to purchase upon registering. Participants are responsible for booking their own accommodation. Please do not book accommodation until you have been invited to attend the meeting by the meeting organisers
Please note that scientific meetings hosted by ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ do not necessarily represent a Royal Society position or signify an endorsement of the speakers or content presented.
Enquiries: contact the Scientific Programmes team.
Schedule
Chair
Professor Matthew Grubb
King’s College London, UK
Professor Matthew Grubb
King’s College London, UK
| 09:15-09:40 |
Shedding light on chandelier cell–pyramidal neuron AIS connectivity in the neocortex
Professor Linda Van AelstCold Spring Harbor Laboratory, US Professor Linda Van AelstCold Spring Harbor Laboratory, US |
|---|---|
| 09:40-09:50 |
Discussion
|
| 09:50-10:15 |
The formation and plasticity of axo-axonic synapses at the AIS
Professor Juan BurroneKing’s College London, UK Professor Juan BurroneKing’s College London, UK |
| 10:15-10:25 |
Discussion
|
| 10:25-10:50 |
Specific and plastic: axo-axonic innervation of the AIS by chandelier cells
Professor Yi-lin TaiFudan University, China Professor Yi-lin TaiFudan University, China |
| 10:50-11:00 |
Discussion
|
| 11:00-11:30 |
Coffee break
|
| 11:30-12:30 |
Flash talks from selected poster presenters
|
Chair
Professor Andreas Draguhn
Heidelberg University, Germany
Professor Andreas Draguhn
Heidelberg University, Germany
| 13:30-13:55 |
Specialised AIS helps fast-spiking interneurons in human neocortex to function as 'fast in-fast-out' circuits
Professor Karri LamsaSzeged University, Hungary Professor Karri LamsaSzeged University, Hungary |
|---|---|
| 13:55-14:05 |
Discussion
|
| 14:05-14:30 |
The AIS after mild traumatic brain injury
Dr Kimberle JacobsVirginia Commonwealth University, US Dr Kimberle JacobsVirginia Commonwealth University, US |
| 14:30-14:40 |
Discussion
|
| 15:15-15:45 |
Break
|
| 15:45-18:15 |
Poster session and drinks reception
Professor Ehud AhissarWeizmann Institute, Israel Professor Ehud AhissarWeizmann Institute, Israel Ehud Ahissar is a Professor of Neurobiology at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. He holds the Helen Diller family professorial chair in Neurobiology. He earned a BSc in Electrical Engineering from Tel Aviv University, and his PhD in Neurobiology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His research focuses on neuronal mechanisms of adaptive perception with a special emphasis on active sensing via closed loops. By applying principles of engineering and neurobiology, Ahissar and his colleagues are trying to understand the operation of, and the processes underlying the emergence of perception in the rodent whisking system, as well as the human tactile and visual systems. |
Chair
Professor Maren Engelhardt
Johannes Kepler University, Austria
Professor Maren Engelhardt
Johannes Kepler University, Austria
| 09:30-09:35 |
Welcome back
|
|---|---|
| 09:35-10:00 |
Proximity proteomics reveal the molecular organisation of the AIS
Professor Matthew RasbandBaylor College of Medicine, US Professor Matthew RasbandBaylor College of Medicine, US |
| 10:00-10:10 |
Discussion
|
| 10:10-10:35 |
The axonal cytoskeleton down to the nanoscale
Dr Christophe LeterrierCNRS-Aix Marseille Université, France Dr Christophe LeterrierCNRS-Aix Marseille Université, France |
| 10:35-10:45 |
Discussion
|
| 10:45-11:15 |
Break
|
| 11:15-11:40 |
Regulation of the AIS cytoskeleton
Dr Elisa D’EsteMax Planck Institute for Medical Research, Germany Dr Elisa D’EsteMax Planck Institute for Medical Research, Germany |
| 11:40-11:50 |
Discussion
|
| 11:50-12:15 |
Experimental and numerical investigation of diffusion in the plasma membrane of the AIS
Dr George LykotrafitisUniversity of Connecticut, US Dr George LykotrafitisUniversity of Connecticut, US |
| 12:15-12:25 |
Discussion
|
Chair
Professor Maarten Kole
Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, The Netherlands
Professor Maarten Kole
Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, The Netherlands
| 13:35-13:50 |
Ultrafast imaging analysis of the AIS in physiology and channelopathy
Dr Marco CanepariUniversité Grenoble Alps, France Dr Marco CanepariUniversité Grenoble Alps, France |
|---|---|
| 13:50-14:00 |
Discussion
|
| 14:00-14:25 |
AIS proteome remodeling upon changes in neuronal activity
Dr Hanne Borger RasmussenUniversity of Copenhagen, Denmark Dr Hanne Borger RasmussenUniversity of Copenhagen, Denmark |
| 14:25-14:35 |
Discussion
|
| 14:35-15:10 |
Break
|
| 15:10-15:35 |
Transcriptional control of AIS ion channel expression fine-tunes neuronal excitability during AIS long-term plasticity
Dr Amélie FréalAmsterdam UMC, The Netherlands Dr Amélie FréalAmsterdam UMC, The Netherlands |
| 15:35-15:45 |
Discussion
|
| 15:45-16:10 |
Cytoskeletal reorganization during AIS plasticity in auditory neurons
Professor Hiroshi KubaNagoya University, Japan Professor Hiroshi KubaNagoya University, Japan |
| 16:10-16:20 |
Discussion
|
| 16:20-17:00 |
Panel discussion: Future directions for the AIS Organisers
|