Glia are essential for the function of the nervous system. We study how glial cells contribute to brain function and how their dysfunction leads to diseases. The main focus is on myelin, an insulating membrane sheath produced by specialized glial cells. Destruction of myelin leads to several neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, and is also associated with psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Our lab combines molecular, biochemical and advanced light and electron microscopy techniques in mice and zebrafish to study how myelin is formed, maintained, and broken down in diseases. In addition, we work on the mechanisms of CNS regeneration and are particular interested in the question of how new myelin sheaths are reformed in demyelinating diseases. Our aim is to come up with new strategies of how to promote repair of the damaged CNS in diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
