Gene-regulatory steps guiding axon wiring in the spinal cord
Official title: Gene-regulatory mechanisms of stepwise axon pathfinding
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11464017 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in mice aims to understand how nerve fibers learn their way during development by looking at how gene activity changes help axons find their targets.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $408,585 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS151664-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11464017 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This study uses mouse models and in vitro neuron systems, not yet involving human participants.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits to patients are not expected until later translational work or human studies are pursued.
What this research studies
Researchers will use mouse spinal neurons that cross the midline to explore how gene activity controls when and which axonal proteins are made, shaping guidance responses. They will examine how contact with the floor plate and other signals affect transcription of axon-related genes and, in turn, the receptors and cues the growth cone uses. The project combines cell culture, molecular biology, and bioinformatics to map the sequence of gene expression changes during axon navigation. This work could reveal new targets to understand and potentially correct wiring errors that contribute to developmental nervous system disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could improve our understanding of neural wiring and identify molecular pathways that might be targeted to treat or prevent developmental nerve-circuit disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that transcriptional programs influence axon guidance, but the exact regulatory steps in response to midline signals are not fully understood.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jaworski, Alexander — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Jaworski, Alexander
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.