His laboratory is interested in the molecular mechanisms of axon regeneration failure in the central nervous system (CNS). Lab members apply a variety of modern molecular biology techniques, mouse molecular genetics (inducible conditional mouse knockouts and transgenics), neuronal culture, mouse models of spinal cord injury and in vivo imaging with two-photon microscopy to address these questions. Lab members also genetically manipulate human embryonic stem cells to study their developmental and therapeutic potential. They hope this study will lead to the development of novel therapeutic intervention for spinal cord injury, white matter stroke and certain neurodegenerative disorders.