The brain and nervous system control all our
body functions. To understand how the brain and nervous system operate and
govern our physical and mental tasks or sensation and emotional drives is one of
the greatest challenges in life science and medicine. In the modern era progress
in brain research and neuroscience can be obtained only by interdisciplinary
approach and by combining basic and clinical research.
The major basic research areas are: cellular and
molecular biology of neurons, neural signaling, development of the brain and
nervous system, degeneration and regeneration, learning and memory, motor
control, cognition and behavior. These subjects are being studied using variety
of model organisms: nematodes (C. elegans), drosophila, zebrafish, birds,
rodents, primates and human.
Major clinical research efforts of our groups
are focused on mechanisms of diseases of the brain and nervous system, research
of traumatic injuries of the brain and spinal cord, plasticity and repair of the
brain and nervous system, and development novel therapies.
Strong collaborations already exist between some
of the groups in the department and we seek to strengthen existing relationships
while identifying and promoting new research collaborations that cut across
traditional borders, by bringing together investigators from complementary
fields.
