The paper identifies ST18 as a regulator of deep CA3 pyramidal neuron identity, showing its role in restricting a superficial-like program and shaping circuit integration through molecular and electrophysiological changes.

bioRxiv · Nov 4, 2026 · PreprintNeuroscience

Multimodal profiling and intersectional genetics reveal CA1 border inhibitory neuron diversity and postnatal emergence of retrosplenial connectivity

Natalia Martínez Vizcaíno, Nicola Thrupp, Blanca Lorente-Echeverría, Danie Daaboul, Maryam Alabi, Clara Milián Alastruey, Daniele Linaro, Yannick Fourne, Joris Vandenbempt, David Lukacsovich, Csaba Földy, Jochen A. S. Lamote, Marta Wojno, Suresh Kumar Poovathingal, Mark W. E. J. Fiers, , Joris de Wit

The paper identifies molecular and developmental diversity in CA1 border inhibitory neurons and shows their postnatal emergence of retrosplenial connectivity.

bioRxiv · Oct 31, 2026 · PreprintNeuroscience

Extracellular neuroligin-ICAM5 coupling drives dendritic growth via actin remodeling

Cydric Geyskens, Brigitt Raux, Nuno Apóstolo, Ellis Boonen, Jeroen Vandensteen, Beatriz Marques, João Machado, llkem Kumru, Julie Nys, Eline Creemers, Joris Vandenbempt, Keimpe D. B. Wierda, Wim G. Annaert, Jeffrey N. Savas, Joris de Wit, , Luís F. Ribeiro

This study identifies ICAM5 as a neuroligin interactor that drives dendritic growth through actin remodeling by sustaining PAK-Cofilin signaling.

iScience · Oct 29, 2026Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

A systematic cross-modal approach identifies astrocytic VCAM1 as a regulator of hippocampal synapse development

Cydric Geyskens, Efstathia Kotoula, Kjen Bogaert, Elke Leysen, Joris Vandenbempt, Francisco Pestana, L. J. LeFever, Pedro Magalhães, Dan Dascenco, Joris de Wit

The paper identifies VCAM1 as an astrocytic regulator of hippocampal synapse development through cross-modal analysis combining single-cell spatial transcriptomics and protein-level profiling.

bioRxiv · Mar 18, 2026 · PreprintNeuroscience

A dynamic gene regulatory code drives synaptic development of hippocampal granule cells

Blanca Lorente-Echeverría, Danie Daaboul, Jeroen Vandensteen, Gabriele Marcassa, Willem Naert, Joris Vandenbempt, Elke Leysen, Malou Reverendo, Ine Vlaeminck, Lise Vervloessem, Jochen Lamote, Suresh Kumar Poovathingal, Kristofer Davie, Keimpe D. B. Wierda, Dan Dascenco, , Joris de Wit

The paper identifies a dynamic gene regulatory code in hippocampal granule cells that orchestrates synapse development through sequential regulation of transcription factors and target genes.

Science Advances · Oct 22, 2025Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

Cell-surface receptor-mediated regulation of synaptic organelle distribution controls dendritic spine maturation

Ben Verpoort, Luísa Amado, Jeroen Vandensteen, Elke Leysen, Dan Dascenco, Joris Vandenbempt, Irma H. Lemmens, Joris Wauman, Kristel M. Vennekens, Abril Escamilla‐Ayala, Ana Cristina Nogueira Freitas, Thomas Voets, Sebastian Munck, Jan H. Tavernier, Keimpe D. B. Wierda, Joris de Wit

This study identifies a postsynaptic signaling complex involving GPR158 and PLCXD2 that regulates synaptic organelle distribution and dendritic spine maturation through modulation of the lipid microenvironment.

Developmental Cell · May 19, 2025Peer-reviewedNeuroscience

Melanin Concentrating Hormone- and sleep-dependent synaptic downscaling is impaired in Alzheimer's Disease

Sara Calafate, Gökhan Özturan, Nicola Thrupp, Jeroen Vanderlinden, Wei-Ting Chen, Mark W. E. J. Fiers, Ashley Lu, Eline Creemers, Katleen Craessaerts, Joris Vandenbempt, Luuk van Boekholdt, Suresh Kumar Poovathingal, Kristofer Davie, Dietmar Rudolf Thal, Keimpe D. B. Wierda, , Joris de Wit

This study identifies impaired MCH-system function in AD models and patients, disrupting synaptic downscaling and neuronal activity stability.

bioRxiv · May 21, 2021 · PreprintNeuroscience