Infographic: The machinery of synaptic transmission

Probably the most influential natural scientist of all time – no one else has shaped our view of the origin of species as much as Charles Darwin.

Thomas Südhof discovered important synaptic proteins. For this, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine.

Despite numerous errors, Aristotle's views influenced the history of brain research.

Hubel and Wiesel worked diligently to establish fundamental knowledge about visual information processing.

Da Vinci was convinced that science needs painting and painting needs science.

Alzheimer's is one of the most well-known diseases of our time. But initially, it – along with its discoverer – was largely ignored.

Lorenz, the “father of geese”: influenced behavioral biology, received the Nobel Prize, supported Nazi ideology

Descartes viewed the body and soul as separate entities within humans that interact in the brain.

John Eccles disproved his own theories. In doing so, he helped to elucidate synaptic transmission.

The Greek anatomist Galen recognizes the brain as the central organ of thought and sensation.

The ancient philosopher Alcmaeon of Croton founded scientific brain research.

The discoverers of orientation cells was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2014.

Herophil of Chalcedon and Erasistratus were a pair of researchers who succeeded in discovering the nerves.

Vesalius replaced belief in authority with empiricism – and taught others about the structure of the body.

Otto Detlev Creutzfeldt had a major influence on the neuroscientific landscape.

Despite being banned from her profession and persecuted, Rita Levi-Montalcini enjoyed a brilliant career in research.

In the 17th century, Thomas Willis produced the most accurate studies of the nervous system to date.

What the severed connection between the brain hemispheres reveals about the specialization of the brain.