How brain support cells that make myelin and clear debris develop and work
Genetic and cellular analysis of glial development and function in vertebrates
This work looks at how two types of brain support cells (oligodendrocytes and microglia) build myelin and clean up damaged tissue to help people with brain and nervous system disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321207 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use zebrafish as a fast, visible model to find genes that control how oligodendrocytes make myelin and how microglia move and remove debris. They perform genetic screens to identify important genes, then watch cells live with high-resolution imaging to see what those genes do. The team studies how myelination happens during development, during neural plasticity, and after injury to learn how remyelination could be encouraged. They also characterize newly discovered microglial genes to understand how these cells respond to infection, dead cells, and damaged axons.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients; its results may eventually be most relevant to people with demyelinating or neuroinflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
Not a fit: People with conditions unrelated to the brain or nervous system would be unlikely to see direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new targets or strategies to promote remyelination and protect the brain in diseases like multiple sclerosis and other neuroinflammatory disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous zebrafish and mammalian studies have identified genes that influence myelination and microglial behavior, but many molecular mechanisms remain novel and actively being discovered.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Talbot, William S — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Talbot, William S
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 below.