Molecular Interaction Guides Neurons in Developing Brain
In this journal cover design, three molecules (Teneurin-Latrophilin-FLRT, foreground) interact between radial glial cells and neurons (green and blue, background) in the developing brain to ensure the neurons migrate correctly. The bright region where the molecules interact is better understood than the darker regions.
The prevailing theory of nerve signal propagation holds that signals are transmitted via depolarization of membrane potential. This involves voltage gated ion channels and cross-membrane ion movement (top left inset).
A more recent theory of nerve signaling (the Heimburg model) describes the signal instead as a physical wave through the axon membrane (bottom right inset).
This visual was created with Maxon Cinema4D, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.
