| Citation | Thomas Südhof discovered key components of the molecular machinery mediating fast presynaptic neurotransmitter release, the basis of brain function. With his colleagues he revealed that Ca2+ binding to synaptotagmin triggers release by linking this Ca2+ sensor to a molecular machinery for fusion. He also discovered how a RIM protein complex connects primed synaptic vesicles to Ca2+ channels. He recognised that this architecture directs the flow of Ca2+ to synaptotagmin allowing the millisecond coupling of an action potential to neurotransmitter release, which is the most critical element of fast synaptic transmission. For his discoveries he was elected Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine 2013. |