Geller Lab Research Projects Neurobiology Research in the Geller Laboratory Control of Neuronal Growth by Astrocytes Both development of the neuron and the neuronal response to injury are shaped by interactions between neurons and glial cells. The major environmental influences on these processes include soluble cytokines as well as cell surface molecules. Cytokines have several actions to promote neuronal survival and prevent cell death during development and following injury.
Glial cells act in interesting ways to modulate the survival and growth of neurons.
Current research focuses on the role of astrocytes, the major glial cell in the central nervous system. Astrocytes normally provide a favorable environment for neurons, e.g., during development they promote neuronal migration and process outgrowth. Identifying the specific gene products that are responsible for the permissive or inhibitory actions of astrocytes as well as their mechanism of action is a major effort underway in this laboratory. The ultimate goal is to promote neuronal regeneration by preventing these changes in astrocytes, adding permissive molecules to astrocytes, or causing neurons to ignore the inhibitory cues. We are evaluating the mechanisms by which astrocytes provide directional cues for neurons.