Using the zebrafish as an experimental model system, we study three areas of modern Neuroscience: axonal guidance injury induced nerve de- and regeneration, and sensorimotor behavior. The zebrafish offers a powerful combination of forward genetics and exquisite cellular analysis: previous and ongoing genetic screens in our lab have identified many mutations that affect specifically axonal guidance or motor behavior. The transparent, externally developing embryos are accessible to numerous embryological manipulations, and a diverse repertoire of genomics tools, including GFP transgenics and selective gene inactivation allow for an unparalleled molecular and cellular analysis. Using these tools we focus on three research projects:

* the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which motor axons navigate to and form synaptic contacts with their synaptic muscle targets


* the cellular and subcellular and events during and following injury induced peripheral nerve degeneration (Wallerian degeneration) and regeneration


* the cellular and molecular basis of sensorimotor gating behavior .

For more info please click on the link to my Lab's website above.