Biography of Pietro De Camilli

摘要

During synaptic transmission, neurotransmitter-containing vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane, releasing neuro-transmitters into the synaptic space by exocytosis. In the subsequent seconds, vesicle membranes are reinternalized and reused for the next generation of synaptic vesicles. Over the last 25 years, Pietro De Camilli has studied the molecular mechanisms involved in this intricate cycle of membrane traffic and has identified and characterized numerous proteins that participate in the process. Trained as an M.D., he has also made significant contributions toward understanding human diseases of the nervous system that involve autoimmu-nity against synaptic proteins. Because the synaptic vesicle is a powerful model organelle for studying fundamental mechanisms in membrane-cytoskeletal interactions, membrane fusion, and membrane budding, De Camilli's discoveries are relevant to secretory and endo-cytic mechanisms in many fields beyond neurotransmission.