Yang et al. develop a light-based approach to precisely shape astrocytic Ca²⁺ signals via endogenous IP₃ receptors and reveal how local calcium spikes and global waves differentially control organelle transport and astrocyte process morphogenesis. This work links “calcium patterns–organelle positioning–synaptic stability” and offers a powerful tool to dissect astrocyte functions in health and disease.
Paper: https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202506032
Video summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KtKZlyvBoI
Dr Zhi Hong, Associate Professor at ZJE, Honorary Lecturer at University of Edinburgh, is the corresponding author of this paper; Dr Shue Chen (Hainan Medical University) and Dr Cong Yi (School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University) are co-corresponding authors; Lan Yang, a PhD student at ZJE, is the first author, and Prof Mikael Björklund (University of Edinburgh) is a co-author.
The Hong lab focuses on organelle interactions and homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and calcium signaling, with a particular interest in how astrocyte–organelle crosstalk contributes to neurodegenerative diseases. Undergraduate and graduate students interested in astrocytes, organelle dynamics, and advanced imaging are welcome to learn more about the group: https://person.zju.edu.cn/hongzhi
