Neurons are highly polarized cells with specialized compartments required for the proper functioning of neural networks. The structurally diverse compartments and morphological complexity of neurons pose a particular challenge to the regulated transport of membrane proteins. Several components and dedicated machinery, including kinesins, dynein, microtubules, actin cytoskeleton, regulate membrane protein transport, insertion, turnover, and degradation. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate how membrane proteins are precisely transported to different substructures of neurons such as dendrites, axons, and synapses. Furthermore, it is important to learn how several proteins are assembled in the neuronal domains like axon initial segments, nodes of Ranvier, pre-and post-synaptic regions. Moreover, the impairment of neuronal transport has been linked to several neurological diseases such as motor neuron disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

This method collection aims to provide an array of several neuronal transport mechanisms in a variety of model systems, including primary neurons, non-neuronal cells, patient-derived 2D neurons, and 3D organoid culture. Furthermore, we would like to include methods from in vivo transports studies using invertebrate (e.g., Drosophila) and vertebrate (e.g, mouse, rat) model systems. Another key focus of this collection is to include state-of-the-art microscopy techniques such as STED, STORM, and TIRF to reveal intracellular protein transport and delivery of membrane proteins.