We study how and why axons degenerate. Axons are the longest projections of neurons and degenerate early in many diseases and conditions, including during neurodegenerative diseases, nutrient dysregulation (diabetes), toxic insults to the nerve (chemotherapy), and during aging. Their degeneration causes the overt symptoms of the disease because it prevents neurons from communicating with each other and with their peripheral target cells (muscles and skins for example, leading to movement disorders and neuropathies).

Our research focuses on:

1. Characterization of axonal energy metabolism
2. Contribution of glial cells though a mechanism called “axoglial metabolic coupling”

We study fundamental metabolic and signaling cell-cell interactions using microscopy, biochemistry, behavioral analyses, gene expression and electrophysiology in the mouse model in vivo, as well as in primary neuronal and glial cultures in vitro.