In the CNS, specialized cells work together to differentiate, wire, and later die to form a completely integrated system. The Mruk lab integrates chemistry, organismal biology, and cellular/molecular techniques to investigate the injury response and regeneration of the CNS. In particular, we use the zebrafish as a model because of their remarkable regenerative capacity.

The Mruk lab is particularly focused on understanding the role bioelectricity plays in locomotor recovery and the genetic factors that govern this process. Bioelectric signals generated by membrane proteins, such as changes in membrane voltage, are required for embryonic patterning, wound healing, and tissue regeneration suggesting a mechanistic link between membrane potential and an individual cell’s behavior as well as cell-cell communication. To gain a systems-level understanding of the bioelectric network we are utilizing multi-electrode array electrophysiology. By recording the CNS network over time and monitoring swim behavior, we will understand how global changes in bioelectricity contribute to recovery. We aim to combine these studies with traditional genomics in order to identify new therapeutic intervention points.