Programme

Preliminary description:
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a key second messenger present in virtually all cell types, playing particularly critical roles in excitable cells such as neurons and cardiomyocytes. In recent years, the development of genetically encoded cAMP sensors has revealed that cAMP signaling is not uniformly distributed throughout the cell. Instead, distinct nanodomains exist in which cAMP diffusion is locally restricted through compartmentalized production, buffering, and degradation. This spatial organization enables cells to precisely regulate specific signaling events—an aspect that is especially crucial for excitable cell function. Despite these advances, our understanding of how cAMP nanodomains are organized, how they interact, and under which conditions cAMP spreads between them remains incomplete. This symposium will present the latest developments in tools designed to manipulate and monitor cAMP dynamics, along with new insights into cAMP compartmentalization in neurons and cardiomyocytes. The event is co-financed by the Research Unit FOR 5807, and three early-career scientists from the consortium will conclude the session with short flash talks highlighting their most recent findings and experimental strategies.