Shigeki Watanabe, PhDPhoto courtesy of EppendorfEppendorf and the journal Science are now accepting applications for the 2016 Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology. This annual international research prize of US$25,000 is awarded to young scientists for their outstanding contributions to neurobiology research based on methods of molecular and cell biology. Researchers who are not older than 35 years are invited to apply by June 15, 2016. The winner and finalists are selected by a committee of independent scientists, chaired by Science’s Senior Editor, Dr. Peter Stern.

The 2015 prize was won by the Japanese scientist Shigeki Watanabe, PhD, from Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, USA). Shigeki Watanabe has developed two novel techniques in electron microscopy that allow visualization of protein and membrane dynamics at synapses at a millisecond temporal resolution. Using these techniques, he discovered an ultrafast mechanism that removes synaptic vesicle components rapidly from the plasma membrane following exocytosis. He further demonstrated that synaptic vesicles are regenerated from endosomes.

For more about the prize and film interview with Shigeki Watanabe, go to www.eppendorf.com/prize.