Huge congratulations to Sabine, Rafael, and the team.
This work helps resolve long-standing controversy and provides a unified framework for understanding how NMDAR location shapes synaptic function and circuit organization.
Feedback very welcome.
6/6
Together, the results reveal a fundamental organizing principle:
NMDAR signaling is not monolithic, but follows a compartment-specific logic governing distinct forms of cortical plasticity.
5/6
Key findings:
• Presynaptic NMDARs regulate transmitter release
• Postsynaptic NMDARs are required for associative strengthening
• A double dissociation in STDP governed by distinct NMDAR pools
• Postsynaptic NMDARs support long-term stabilization of dendritic spines and circuit architecture
4/6
By combining:
• immunogold EM
• sparse genetic deletion
• paired recordings
we were able to causally dissect presynaptic vs postsynaptic NMDA receptor function in cortical microcircuits.
3/6
I’m proud to share this bioRxiv preprint led by Sabine Rannio, representing years of exceptionally careful and technically demanding work.
It also features beautiful immunogold electron microscopy by Rafael Luján, providing ultrastructural resolution of NMDAR localization.
2/6
🧪🧠 New preprint: helping resolve a decades-long debate in synaptic plasticity
NMDA receptors are central to Hebbian learning. Yet for >30 years, the existence and function of presynaptic NMDA receptors have remained controversial.
📄 doi.org/10.64898/202...
1/6
🧪 Excellent review unpacking where Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity converge, and where they diverge. A clear framework for reconciling synaptic stability with learning-related change. Delighted to see this in the 'Diversity of the Plasticitome' research topic.
🧪 This is a great IBRO opportunity for early-career researchers in global mental health neuroscience.
#NCAMH offers real capacity building, collaboration, and proposal support. Check out the info webinar.
#EarlyCareerResearchers #MentalHealthResearch #GlobalNeuroscience
5/ 🔗 Full details here:
sshrc-crsh.canada.ca/en/funding/o...
A strong tool for recruiting global talent into Canada’s research ecosystem.
#AcademicFunding #PhD #Postdoc #CanadaResearch #GlobalTalent
4/ 🚫 Also note
• One nomination only
• Cannot already be enrolled or working in Canada
• Prior tri-agency funding at the same level = ineligible
3/ 🏛️ How it works
• Candidates are nominated by Canadian institutions
• Applicants cannot apply directly
• Research must align with designated national priority areas
2/ 🌍 Key eligibility caveat
You must currently be outside Canada with no Canadian institutional affiliation at the time of nomination.
1/ 🎓 What’s on offer
• PhD: $40K/year, up to 3 years
• Postdoc: $70K/year, up to 2 years
• International + returning Canadian researchers eligible
🧪🧵 Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards — now open 🇨🇦 A new federal program to attract outstanding PhD students and postdocs currently outside Canada (including Canadians abroad).
McGill is proud to participate and welcomes interest from outstanding candidates currently based outside Canada.
The program offers long-term funding and strong institutional support to build ambitious, high-impact research programs in Canada.
This prestigious, one-time tri-agency initiative supports world-leading researchers whose work addresses major national and global challenges.
🧪📣 McGill University is recruiting exceptional researchers through the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program. #McGillResearch #ImpactPlus #AcademicCareers #ResearchLeadership
Delighted to share that I’ve been elected to the IBRO US/Canada Regional Committee. Looking forward to working with colleagues across North America and beyond to support neuroscience training, collaboration, and community-building. #BrainResearch #IBRO #NeuroCommunity #McGill #RIMUHC
We still have a few spots available for Monday's re-launch symposium of the SFN Montreal Chapter!
bsky.app/profile/rimu...
📍 Maison Alcan | Oct 16 2025
#Innovation #Neuroscience #DigitalHealth #Neurotech #McGill #MGHF #RIMUHC #BRaIN
It’s inspiring to see neuroscience and digital health intersect in such engaging, accessible ways. Exciting collaborations ahead! 🧠💡
As Leader of the BRaIN Program, I was proud to highlight one of our new initiatives exploring how digital tools can support brain health — including gamified training apps for amblyopia (“lazy eye”). 👁️🎮
Ingrid Inema, Jesper Sjöström, Alex Baldwin, , Nicole Dranitsaris, Alexandra Kindrat, Alexandre Reynaud, Reza Farivar, Aparna Suvrathan
A great evening at Maison Alcan for the Montreal General Hospital Foundation’s Soirée Impact & Innovation! ✨
🧪 We are reviving the SFN Montreal Chapter with a meeting on 27 Oct at MUHC's Glen site! $25 for lunch, meeting, and membership! Speakers: Mihaela Iordanova, Sonia Lupien, Michael Meaney, & Karim Jerbi. Networking at Weinstein & Gavino's afterwards! Spread the word! www.eventbrite.ca/e/symposium-...
🧪 ~8 months ago, we launched the Research Topic "The Diversity of the Plasticitome", see below! We now have 2 publication fee discounts for this RT, available on a first-come, first-served basis! Current submission deadline is Oct 31, although extensions are possible. @frontiersmedia.bsky.social
