Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.10.13.337865v1?rss=1 Authors: Altschuler, S. J., Ji, W., Wu, L. F. Abstract: During development, neurons extend in search of synaptic partners. Precise control of axon extension velocity can therefore be crucial to ensuring proper circuit formation. How velocity is regulated - particularly by the extending axons themselves - remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate this question in the Drosophila visual system, where photoreceptors make precise connections with a specific set of synaptic partners that together create a circuit underpinning neural superposition (NSP). We used a combination of genetic perturbations and quantitative image analysis to investigate the influence of cell identity on growth cone velocity and subsequent spatial-temporal coincidence of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons. Our study provides a case study of how cell autonomous properties of presynaptic axons play a pivotal role in controlling the dynamics of growing axons and determining the formation of a precise neuronal circuit. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info