Boato, Francesco
The Functional Repair and Axonogenesis (FRA) lab investigates how the central nervous system (CNS) is wired during development and how these pathways can be reactivated and modulated to promote repair after injury, particularly in the spinal cord and optic nerve. We study growth pathways, axon guidance cues, and neuron-glia interactions that shape connectivity in the CNS. By combining genetic, molecular, behavioral and advanced imaging approaches, we examine neuronal migration, synaptogenesis, and responses to injury. Our goal is to uncover fundamental mechanisms that can be leveraged to drive regeneration, circuit formation and functional recovery in neurological disorders. Trainees will join a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment and will gain experience at the interface of developmental neurobiology and CNS regeneration.
Bonaguidi, Michael
Associate Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine
Cognitive impairment (CI) is a burdensome neurological condition that occurs during aging, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and is a common co-morbidity in many neurodegenerative diseases, including epilepsy. Unfortunately, CI prevalence continues to accelerate due to population aging and emerging therapies only slows CI by a few months. Our research seeks to develop regenerative medicine and provide longer-lasting benefits to CI through brain restoration. We are establishing endogenous brain regeneration as a therapeutic approach for CI in pre-clinical animals and people by (1) investigating neural stem cell behavior in aging, AD and epilepsy, (2) developing computational/AI drug discovery tools for precision medicine to treat CI, and (3) partnering with physicians for human research and clinical trials to translate our findings.
