Domna Karagogeos
IMBB Group Leader (Full Professor, Univ. of Crete)
We are interested in neuronal development and axoglial interactions during myelination.
Neuronal development: We study the genetic, molecular and cellular bases of neurogenesis, neuronal migration and axon guidance. We focus on:
1) the function of the immunoglobulin superfamily protein TAG-1/Contactin-2 and its partners in axon guidance and neuronal migration in mice
2) the role of small GTPases in cortical interneuron development
Axoglial interactions during myelination: Myelinated fibers are organized into distinct functional domains as a consequence of their interactions with glial cells. How is the molecular organization and functional architecture of myelinated fibers achieved? How is it perturbed in de-myelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis? We study how TAG-1 and its partners, expressed at specific sites of myelin/axon interactions, contribute to these interactions and how deregulation of these proteins' function is involved in de-myelinating diseases.
Experimental approaches: We use a combination of genetic, molecular, cellular and functional approaches: transgenic animal models, ex-vivo transplantation systems, proteomics analysis, real time-PCR, imaging, primary cultures, electrophysiological and behavioural analysis.