RESEARCH

We study nerve cord regeneration of a simple model organism, the medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis. Using this model, we target specific identified single neurons, record their activity and label them for morphological analysis. Our breeding colony allows us to study mechanosensory innervation in embryogenesis development via the axon guidance regulator Netrin and its receptors. We analyze the spontaneous repair process of the CNS, post-injury (cut), in adult leeches. We are also working on improving the efficiency of regeneration by developing technologies which direct neuronal growth.