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Project C12, led by Eugenio F. Fornasiero (University Medical Center Göttingen) and Johanna Senk (Forschungszentrum Jülich), are developing a multiscale computational model of synaptic turnover to understand how dynamic molecular renewal shapes synaptic function. Synapses constantly replace proteins, mRNAs, and post-translational modifications across spatial and temporal scales, yet how their molecular renewal sustains stability and plasticity remains unclear.

Building on extensive quantitative datasets the project will integrate experimental and theoretical approaches in iterative cycles. Special will be given to aging, which slows molecular renewal and impairs synaptic resilience. The resulting framework will identify functional bottlenecks, clarify principles of synaptic adaptability, and improve models of synaptic plasticity and age-related dysfunction.