Historically, neuroscience has mainly focused on neuronal cell (dys)function. However, in past years it has become increasingly clear that glial cells, particularly astrocytes, play a key role in higher brain functions. In addition, recent studies show that astrocytic dysfunction is a central
aspect in many different neurological conditions (e.g., ALS, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease), neuropsychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, depression), and addictive disorders. Therefore, understanding how astrocytes help shape the brain, through specific interactions with other cell types, is an urgent challenge.

The main aim of SUPERGLUE (How SUbcellular ComPartments in AstroGlia control cognitive processing) is to identify the molecular mechanisms in astrocytes that control the formation, function and interplay of astrocyte endfeet and perisynaptic astrocyte processes (PAPs). These subcompartments enable astrocytes to exert their crucial function in higher brain function

SUPERGLUE, a consortium subsidized by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) XL program, brings together leading experts on astrocyte-vasculature interactions and those on astrocyte-synapse interactions. By joining forces at the VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC and international partners, our consortium, led by Mark Verheijen (MCN/CNCR, VU Amsterdam) and Rogier Min (AUMC), has unique complementary expertise on required state-of-the-art techniques, instruments and innovative model systems to break new ground. This powerful and complementary combination of expertise and skills will enable unique insights into the molecular organization of astrocytes, in particular the dynamically regulated PAP and endfoot proteome. This will be used to guide functional experiments aimed at testing current hypotheses on the role of astrocytes and their specific subcompartments in optimizing cognitive brain function.