Dr. Chapman’s group focuses on the use of modern technologies, such as cryo-electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, to understand the nanomechanics of membrane fusion reactions. Membrane fusion is an essential cellular function that mediates key processes, including fertilization, viral entry into host cells, and communication between cells. To better understand the biophysics of the fusion reaction, this project aims to study the initial membrane fusion of synaptic vesicles with presynaptic plasma membrane in neurons, which leads to the release of neurotransmitters. This projects aims to further address the dynamic whether synaptic vesicles always undergo full fusion collapse, or if they sometimes undergo kiss-and-run exocytosis, which would have a major impact on the post synaptic response and consequently influence information flow in the nervous system.