Research / Research Centres / Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre / Current Research / Can Metallothionein Protect Against Axonal Degeneration?
Can Metallothionein Protect Against Axonal Degeneration?
Can Metallothionein Protect Against Axonal Degeneration Following Traumatic Brain Injury?
Our
research group has recently identified that metallothionein is a potent
promotor of axon regeneration (regeneration of injured neurons). The
goal of this project is to investigate different methods of
administering metallothionein to injured neurons, and investigate
molecular mechanisms that regulate the ability of metallothionein to
promote axon regeneration.
We found that forcing neurons to express metallothionein resulted in improved regeneration following injury. We have also characterised some of the intracellular signalling pathways associated with metallothionein-mediated regeneration.
Group Leader
James Vickers
Research Team
Professor Adrian West
Dr Roger Chung
Associate Professor Inn Chuah
Professor James Vickers
