ERC Synergy Grant to investigate axolotl brain regeneration

Kevin Briggman, Director of our Department of Computational Neuroethology, is part of the new ERC Synergy Grant AxoBrain that aims to understand the amazing regenerative abilities of the axolotl central nervous system. For decades, scientists have been studying how the Mexican salamander regenerates limbs after injuries, yet the molecular and circuit mechanisms behind regeneration of the brain are still poorly understood. By funding AxoBrain with nine million Euro for the next six years, the European Research Council ERC enables the consortium to employ cutting-edge technologies to better understand how axolotl brain cells react to damage and how circuits and behavior are restored. Ultimately, this knowledge will contribute to a better understanding of vertebrate brain organisation and to developing potential strategies for regenerating nerve tissue in mammals.

The ambitious project is a collaboration with senior group leader Elly Tanaka (project coordinator) from the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna and Barbara Treutlein, professor at ETH Zurich.

To press release of IMP