Research report 2008 - Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (Martinsried site)

Growth promotion for nerve cells

Authors
Bradke, Frank; Ertürk, Ali; Hellal, Farida; Enes, Joana; Witte, Harald; Neukirchen, Dorothee; Gomis-Rüth, Susana; Wierenga, Corette
Departments

Axonales Wachstum und Regeneration (Bradke) (Dr. Frank Bradke)
MPI für Neurobiologie, Martinsried

Summary
An injury of nerve cells in the brain or spinal cord has generally serious consequences, since these cells can not regrow – in contrast to nerve cells e.g. in the arms or legs. For the first time scientists were now able to investigate the processes within an injured nerve cell. The investigations showed that the stabilization of small protein tubes within the cells is crucial for the cells' growth. The results could also lead to novel therapies.

For the full text, see the German version.

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