The Kaslin group focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control cellular plasticity in the intact and injured vertebrate brain.

Neural stem cells and brain regeneration have been mostly studied in vertebrates (such as rodents) that have very limited regenerative potential. In contrast, we have found that zebrafish are able to regenerate parts of their central nervous system, even as adults. Thus we can tackle questions in the zebrafish that cannot be answered using mammalian models. Our overall aim is to understand the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms that allow and/or limit cellular plasticity in the vertebrate brain.

We study neuronal stem cell niches and neural regeneration, using high-resolution in vivo imaging, novel genetic tools and cellular reprogramming. We are using high-throughput sequencing and imaging to get a comprehensive understanding of the genetic networks that regulate cellular plasticity during homeostasis and regeneration. This understanding is essential for the development of successful therapies to promote neural regeneration.