Synaptic Vesicle Exocytosis

In partial fulfillment of my Master of Science in Biomedical Visualization, I designed and implemented a research project. I worked with Dr. Janet Richmond, Head of the Biology Department at University of Illinois at Chicago, to create animations that she and other professors could use in teaching synaptic vesicle exocytosis (SVE). SVE is the process by which neurotransmitter-containing vesicles (small sacs) fuse with the membrane of a neuron terminal, thus releasing its contents into the synapse.

Early in the process, we chose a modular style, so that the person using the animations could include and omit different stages of the process from their presentation. Additionally, the animations do not contain narration; this allows the presenter to narrate the animations as they are presented.