Neural Stem Cell Biology Research

The Neural Stem Cell Biology Research Group is investigating the fundamental mechanisms that drive the renewal of neurons in the adult brain, with the goal of harnessing this form of neural plasticity to relieve the emotional and cognitive burdens associated with chronic stress and depression.

The lab is currently focused on understanding the molecular and functional potential of distinct stem cell populations, how their activity is modulated by stress and what role they play in the regulation of mood versus cognition in pre-clinical models of anxiety and depression. A key aspect of this Research Program is to determine whether enhancing new neuron production via selective activation of neural stem cells could provide a new approach for the treatment of anxiety/depressive disorders and lead to the development of novel, effective and safe antidepressants.