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Cell migration plays a critical role in development, adult life, and diseases. Important examples include the growing tip of the nerve cell process and the neuronal growth cone, as well as the invasive behavior of cancer cells. My laboratory investigates the underlying mechanisms of axonal growth, guidance, and regeneration, using main model systems like Aplysia and zebrafish. We focus on the growth cones of large Aplysia neurons in culture, investigating how they integrate sensory, signaling, and motility functions to achieve directional movements. The zebrafish system allows us to study these processes in living organisms. Current projects concentrate on reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling and mechanosensing in neurite growth. We are conducting drug screens using zebrafish larvae to identify novel compounds that enhance axonal regeneration following spinal cord injury. Utilizing a combination of quantitative live cell imaging, cell biological, biophysical, molecular, and biochemical techniques, we investigate the dynamics and functions of adhesion, signaling, and cytoskeletal proteins, while quantifying the forces involved in growth cone migration. Our hope is that this research will improve understanding of basic cell biology in neuronal growth cones and assist in the development of new treatments for enhancing axonal regeneration in nervous system diseases and injuries.
GRE is not required.