The Department of Neuronal Cell Biology was established in 2005. A long-term goal of members of this department is to understand the molecular basis of synaptic plasticity. In this context, we are particularly interested in how individual synapses, the point of contact and communication between neurons are altered during their lifetime and how this contributes to our ability to learn and remember. It has recently emerged that one important underlying mechanism is dendritic RNA localisation and subsequent translational control at the synapse. After the departure of Univ.-Prof. Michael Kiebler in August 2012 Univ.-Prof. Johannes Berger was appointed acting head of the department.