The TWiVodrome explains how a gag-like protein from a retrotransposon forms virus-like particles that carry mRNA  within vesicles across the synapse. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Alan Dove, Rich Condit, and Kathy Spindler Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode ASV 2018: asv.org, asv2018.umd.edu Arc virus-like particles transport RNA across the synapse (mammalian, Drosophila) Chemical synapse (Wikipedia) 2 minute video on the neuron Image credit Letters read on TWiV 477 Weekly Science Picks Kathy - Ice cliffs form over the weekend Rich - The Courage To Invent: A NASA Roboticist Tells Her Story (Ayanna Howard) Dickson - 2017 Was One of the Hottest Years on Record Alan - Experimenter gender and replicability Vincent - Set Your Autocorrect to Change 'Guys' to 'Folks' Listener Picks Asal - 100 million chickens with avian flu Mark - Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees. Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv