Neural circuit development & disease
Neurodegeneration, Development, IPSC
Research aim
Our aim is to understand 1) the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of neuronal circuitry, and 2) the disease mechanisms responsible for changes in or loss of neuronal connectivity during ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
About us
Our research focuses on the question how neuronal connections develop, with a particular emphasis of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved. We study processes such as dendrite development, axon guidance and neuronal migration. We believe that understanding how neural circuits form will help to understand why they change in diseases of the nervous system. Regarding our translational studies we focus on motor neuron disease (ALS) and to some extent other neurodegenerative disorders, which are characterizid by marked changes in neuronal connectivity. RNA biology (e.g. non-coding RNAs), (single cell) omics, mouse genetics, humanized cell models (iPSC, organoids, microfluidics), molecular cell biology, and (light sheet) microscopy play a central role in many of our projects.