Summary of the science
Neurogenesis is the process by which brain cells, called neurons, are made. Unlike other organs in the body, most cells in the adult mammalian nervous system are not regenerated once they die. The lab aims to reactivate neurogenesis and promote brain repair by studying when and where neurogenesis occurs. Usually, once a cell has reached its final cell state and has taken on a specific function, it cannot turn into another cell. However, the Götz lab has pioneered the process of turning glial cells, the brain's immune cells, into brain cells in a process called reprogramming - imagine reprogramming a computer. This offers potential therapeutic approaches for brain repair.
About the research
The lab's primary research objective is to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms underlying neurogenesis in both the developing and adult brain. While most cells in the adult mammalian nervous system, such as neurons and oligodendrocytes, are postmitotic and do not undergo turnover or regeneration, the lab aims to investigate the limited regions of persistent neurogenesis in the adult mammalian forebrain. By understanding the precise spatiotemporal regulation of neurogenesis, the lab pioneers innovative strategies, including direct glial cell reprogramming, to reactivate neurogenesis and explore its potential for therapeutic applications in brain repair.
About the illustration