Phase separation has been increasingly recognized as a general principle of cellular compartmentalization. Neuronal synapse is a highly specialized and polarized structure, where synaptic compartmentalization fundamentally participates in neuronal assembly and function. We are committed to investigating how phase separation underlies presynaptic compartments formation and dynamic regulation, as well as their functional implication to synaptic transmission, synapse formation, and synaptic plasticity. We particularly interested in:

◆How does phase separation orchestrate synaptic vesicle cycling?

◆How do multiple compartments interact with each other in the presynaptic bouton?

◆How do pre- and post-synaptic compartments synergize with each other in response to synaptic stimulation and plasticity?

◆How does phase separation contribute to membraneless condensates communication with membranous organelles in general?

Selected Publication：

◆ Wu, X., Shen, Z., & Zhang, M.* (2025). Phase separation-mediated compartmentalization underlies synapse formation and plasticity. Annual Review of Neuroscience, [invited review]

◆ Qiu, H.#, Wu, X.#, Ma, X., Li, S., Cai, Q., Ganzella, M., Ge, L., Zhang, H., & Zhang, M.* (2024). Short-distance vesicle transport via phase separation. Cell, 187 (9), 2175-2193.e21. (co-first author)

◆ Wu, X., Qiu, H., & Zhang, M.* (2023). Interactions between membraneless condensates and membranous organelles at the presynapse: a phase separation view of synaptic vesicle cycle. Journal of Molecular Biology. [invited review]

◆ Wu, X., Ganzella, M., Zhou, J., Zhu, S., Jahn, R., Zhang, M.* (2021). Vesicle Tethering on the Surface of Phase Separated Active Zone Condensates. Molecular Cell, 81(1), 13-24.

◆ Wu, X., Cai, Q., Feng, Z., & Zhang, M.* (2020). Liquid-liquid phase separation in neuronal development and synaptic signaling. Developmental Cell, 55(1), 18-29. [invited review]

◆ Wu, X.#, Cai, Q.#, Shen, Z., Chen, X., Zeng, M., Du, S., & Zhang, M.* (2019). RIM and RIM-BP Form Presynaptic Active-Zone-like Condensates via Phase Separation. Molecular cell, 73(5), 971-984.

Other Info：

◆ Zhu, S., Shen, Z., Wu, X., & Zhang, M.* (2025). Phase separation in the multi-compartment organization of synapses. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 90, 102975.

◆ Zhu, S.#, Shen, Z.#, Wu, X., Han, W., Jia, B., Lu, W., & Zhang, M.* (2024). Demixing is a default process for biological condensates formed via phase separation. Science, 384(6698), 920-928.

◆ Cai, Q., Zeng, M., Wu, X., Wu, H., Zhan, Y., Tian, R., & Zhang, M.* (2021). CaMKIIα-driven, phosphatase-checked postsynaptic plasticity via phase separation. Cell Research, 31(1), 37-51.

◆ Feng, Z., Wu, X., & Zhang, M.* (2021). Presynaptic bouton compartmentalization and postsynaptic density-mediated glutamate receptor clustering via phase separation. Neuropharmacology, 193, 108622. [invited review]

◆ Wu, X.#, Cai, Q.#, Chen, Y., Zhu, S., Mi, J., Wang, J., & Zhang, M.* (2020). Structural Basis for the High-Affinity Interaction between CASK and Mint1. Structure, 28(6), 664-673.

◆ Chen, X., Wu, X., Wu, H., & Zhang, M.* (2020). Phase separation at the synapse. Nature Neuroscience, 23(3), 301–310. [invited review]

◆ Feng, Z., Chen, X., Wu, X., & Zhang, M.* (2019). Formation of biological condensates via phase separation: Characteristics, analytical methods, and physiological implications. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 294(40), 14823-14835. [invited review]