Introduction
 
The studies of the laboratory are focused on the understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in nervous system development, particularly those underlying neurogenesis, migration of post-mitotic neurons and axonal myelination. Since many of the processes that take place during nervous system development, also operate in neuronal regeneration following injury, the identification of molecules participating in such events has direct clinical applications for the treatment of injuries and neurodegenerative / demyelinating diseases of the nervous system or the prevention of ageing.
 
Within this context, our research activities are focused in two main directions:

1. Genes determining neuronal identity and differentiation.
   The aim of this project is the study of genes involved in the determination of neuronal phenotype and the understanding of how such genes may influence the exit of proliferating precursor cells from the cell cycle and the initiation of their differentiation. In order to analyze the signaling pathways underlying these biological phenomena, we use in vitro systems, which include cell cultures and tissue slices from brain as well as in vivo models, such as the developing nervous system of the chick and the mouse embryo. A further direction of our studies includes induction of neurogenesis in genetically modified neural stem cells through the regulated activation of neurogenetic genes and the exploration of their potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
    
2. Genetically modified neural stem cells and myelinating cells for the treatment of demyelinating/neurodegenerative diseases and injuries of the nervous system.
   Transplantation of genetically modified cells represents a promising approach for the treatment neurodegenerative - demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, or for inducing regeneration after injury of the central and the peripheral nervous system. Neural stem cells, oligodendrocyte progenitors and Schwann cells, all have the ability to induce axonal re-myelination, but the viability and motility of the transplanted cells is low. This currently presents serious limitations for the development of therapeutic strategies. The innovation of our approach lies in the generation of genetically modified neural stem cells or myelinating cells (Schwann cells of the peripheral nervous system) with higher survival prospect and enhanced migratory properties. It is expected that such modified cells would be more suitable to induce remyelination and consequently regeneration of the nervous system.