The Friedman Brain Institute

The molecular mechanisms that control the capability of adult neurons to regenerate axons are an important unsolved question in neurobiology. Neurons of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) regenerate axons minimally after injury. Failure of CNS-axon regeneration is attributed to an inhibitory environment and the age-related decline of the intrinsic potential of axons to grow. In contrast to CNS neurons, injured neurons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) can regenerate axons, but this requires both activation of a neuronal pro-regenerative transcription program and glial cell plasticity. Our scientists are studying the close collaboration between regeneration-associated transcription factors and epigenetic machinery that modifies chromatin landscape in adult neurons to activate a growth state.

Our scientists are also exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying glial cell plasticity after injury. We hope that insights gained in this research will help to identify molecular targets to promote axon regeneration after an injury to the central nervous system.

Functional recovery after an injury to the central nervous system hinges on axonal sprouting of surviving neurons and plasticity of cortical circuits to reconstruct connectivity. Adult neural stem cells play an important role in modulating injury response after injury. In addition, transplantation of neural stem cells or reprogramming of them holds tremendous promise as cell replacement therapy. Our scientists are investigating novel molecular players in mediating axonal sprouting and cortical circuits plasticity after a central nervous system injury. They employ a variety of tools including mouse genetics, neural stem cell biology, stroke models, imaging, and tissue-engineering techniques.

Scientists in this research area include:

• Thomas N. Bryce, MD
• Marcel J. Dijkers, PhD
• Gregory A. Elder, MD
• Roland Friedel, PhD
• Samuel E. Gandy, MD, PhD
• Wayne A. Gordon, PhD
• Maria Kajankova, PhD
• Kristen-Dams O'Connor, PhD
• Kristjan T. Ragnarsson, MD
• Hongyan Zou, MD, PhD