Susann Meyer

Calcium channels of synapses of sensory hair cells couple the sound stimulus to the excitation of the auditory nerve. Compared to the intact CaV1.3 channel (wildtyp, left), the genetically modified CaVAG variant, which is based on a minimal change in the blueprint of the CACNAD1 gene, causes activation of the synapses of sensory hair cells in response to very weak sound stimuli and thus leads to increased auditory nerve activity. The mouse model shows that the increased voltage sensitivity of the channel results in damage to the synapses due to overexcitation even at everyday sound levels. Figure: Karagulyan/Moser.

The organism used to investigate embryonic development: The image shows a top-down view of a fruit fly embryo. In the areas coloured red, cells synchronise their mechanical pulling force. Photo: A. R. Choudhury, M. Häring.

The honorands signed their names in the Honorary Degrees Book at the Divinity School before moving to the Sheldonian Theatre. Image: John Cairns/University of Oxford.