The workshop served as a vibrant platform to bring together leading neuroscientists and researchers to discuss recent advances in the understanding of astrocytic function, neurotransmission, and their implications in neurodegenerative diseases. As part of this initiative, we were delighted to host Prof. Vladimir Parpura and Prof. Vedrana Montana from the International Translational Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, China, for an engaging session on Brain Health at IIT Bombay.

In his talk, Prof. Parpura presented compelling evidence that astrocytes—a subtype of glial cells—can exocytotically release the neurotransmitter glutamate. He discussed the spatiotemporal dynamics of vesicular fusion governing this process and its translational potential in developing therapeutic approaches for glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.