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Josep Rizo is a Professor of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Pharmacology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he is Virginia Lazenby O'Hara Chair in Biochemistry. He is particularly interested in the study of the mechanisms of neurotransmitter release and intracellular membrane fusion using structural biology, a variety of biophysical techniques and reconstitution approaches. Jose has been a part of the FEBS Open Bio Editorial Board since 2021. In this interview, he shares his insights into developments in the field of neurotransmitter release, describes his move from Spain to the United States, and discusses how sometimes you need to use both logic and scientific hunches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandro Sonnino is one of the founding members of the Editorial Board of FEBS Open Bio, having joined in 2011. He is also a member of the Editorial Board of FEBS Letters and is the Editor‐in‐Chief of Glycoconjugate Journal. He is full professor of biochemistry in the School of Medicine at the University of Milan, where he was also formerly coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Advanced Technology (LITA) and Director of the Department of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology. His research is focused on the metabolism and biochemical properties of gangliosides and glycosphingolipids, and their role in cell signaling and the nervous system. He is a guest editor of this special "In the Limelight" issue on glycosphingolipids in disease, which features multiple Reviews and an original research article related to this field. In this interview, Sandro Sonnino discusses the ongoing importance of research on glycosphingolipids and his personal career journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Koji Yamanaka is a Professor at the Research Institute of Environmental Medicine at Nagoya University of Japan. His research interests lie in understanding the mechanism of onset and progression of motor neuron disease as well as the role of glial cells in Alzheimer's disease neuroinflammation. Koji has been serving on the FEBS Open Bio Editorial Board since 2013. In this interview, he explains the implications of recent findings in neurobiology for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, provides updates on the research environment in Japan and discusses how editors might use their position to positively influence academic culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]