Research
Understanding Neural Circuitry: Development & Structural Plasticity
The nervous system’s intricate wiring develops through a dynamic balance of growth and refinement. Axonal guidance and branching help establish initial connections, while selective pruning and restructuring ensure optimal functionality. But the nervous system’s wiring is not static—it constantly evolves. Neural circuits undergo continuous refinement, shaping everything from sensory perception to learning and memory. These processes are not just fundamental to the nervous system’s function; they are also at the root of neurological conditions as neurodevelopmental disorders, chronic pain, and neurodegenerative diseases.
At the Yaron Lab, we explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these changes, investigating their impact on neural function and behavior.
Projects
Axonal Plasticity in Development and Pain Sensation
Once the nervous system’s initial wiring is established, fine-tuning occurs through axonal pruning—an essential process for proper neural function. This process ensures that unnecessary or excess connections are removed, refining neural circuits for optimal communication. However, despite its importance, the molecular pathways guiding axonal pruning remain largely unknown.
Beyond development, axonal remodeling also plays a crucial role in sensory processing, particularly in pain perception. Aberrant changes in axonal structure and connectivity contribute to heightened or persistent pain sensation, a phenomenon seen in conditions like neuropathic pain. How does the nervous system regulate axonal pruning of sensory axons? What molecular signals drive these changes, and how might they contribute to maladaptive pain states?
Using in vivo imaging, genetic models, neuronal cultures, and molecular analyses, we investigate the pathways that regulate axonal breakdown and plasticity in the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Genetics, Experience, and Brain Plasticity
A fundamental question in neuroscience is how genetic programs and life experiences interact to shape the nervous system. While genes lay the foundation for brain development, environmental factors—such as enriched experiences or stress—can fine-tune neural connectivity. However, the molecular basis of this interplay remains largely unknown.
The hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory and learning, undergoes extensive experience-dependent remodeling. This includes synapse elimination and axonal pruning, processes that refine neural circuits and help the brain adapt to new experiences. But how do genetic instructions and life events work together to regulate these changes? What molecular pathways mediate the impact of experience on neural connectivity?
By combining genetic manipulations, molecular profiling, and behavioral assays, we examine how different environmental conditions shape synaptic and axonal remodeling.
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