Rewiring fruit fly brains wins 2025 Eppendorf & Science Prize

Cheng Lyu, a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, has been awarded the 2025 Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology for his innovative work on rewiring the olfactory neural circuit in fruit flies. His research sheds light on the molecular mechanisms that guide olfactory receptor neurons in choosing a single synaptic partner from numerous possibilities, offering new insights into the fundamental principles of neural circuit assembly.

Lyu’s experiments revealed that the fly’s olfactory network develops its three-dimensional structure through a series of one-dimensional steps. By carefully manipulating this process, he was able to rewire the neural circuit and even modify the flies’ courtship behaviour, linking genetic variation through circuit assembly to observable behavioural outcomes.

The prize also recognises two finalists for their outstanding contributions to neurobiology. Constanze Depp from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard explored the role of myelin and oligodendrocytes in Alzheimer’s disease, while Sara Mederos of the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre investigated how the brain adapts fear responses and learns to suppress them.

The Eppendorf & Science Prize, awarded annually since 2002, celebrates early-career scientists under 35 who make exceptional contributions through hands-on laboratory research. Winners receive USD 25,000, full support to attend the prize ceremony at the Society for Neuroscience meeting, and the opportunity to publish an essay about their research in Science. Finalists also have their essays published and receive full support to attend the ceremony.

This year’s prize will be presented on 16 November 2025 in San Diego, and applications for the next cycle are due on 15 June 2026.

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