About us

Our research aims to understand cellular, molecular and biophysical principles regulating the development and physiology of the nervous system, with a focus on how non-neuronal cells and structures, including brain barriers, cilia and glia, shape brain function. We use the genetically tractable small model organism zebrafish and a combination of techniques including genetics, molecular and cell biology, functional imaging, quantitative behavioral assays and applied mathematics.

We have three major research lines in our laboratory:

1. The function of brain barriers in neuromodulation and brain-body interactions:
The central nervous system requires a highly controlled environment for proper neuronal function. This is achieved through brain barriers, which are tight cellular interfaces preventing the free diffusion of water, molecules and cells from the periphery into the brain. We are studying how brain barriers are established during development and how they regulate brain function and brain-body interactions.

2. The function of motile and primary cilia in the nervous system:
Cilia are evolutionary conserved microscopic hair-like structures made of tubulin that extend from the surface of cells. Cilia are either motile and used to locomote or produce fluid flow, or immotile and transduce external cues. We aim to uncover how cilia diversity is generated and how it impacts organ physiology. To this end, we analyze several ciliated tissues using genetic and biosensor tools, imaging modalities, neuroscience approaches and image analysis techniques.

3. Regulation of neural activity and excitability by non-neural cells in physiological and pathophysiological conditions:
While neurons have been at the center stage of brain research for decades, glial cells are increasingly recognized for their roles in the development, maturation, and physiology of brain circuits. We study how glia modulate neuronal activity and brain homeostasis and how brain-tumor interactions drive hyperexcitability and tumorigenesis.