Martin E. Schwab, Ph.D.,
University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
The laboratory of Martin Schwab at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, focuses on the investigation of proteins in CNS myelin inhibiting regeneration. In particular, the very potent neurite growth inhibiting protein Nogo-A has been discovered and characterized by this group.
Our strength lies in the implementation of different injuries within the spinal cord and nerve fiber tracts leading from the brain to the spinal cord in rats and mice, treatment of these animals with anti-Nogo-A antibodies, behavioral and anatomical analysis of the animals with such an injury and the generation and study of knockout mice.
In addition, a strong focus has been laid on ongoing collaborations with groups working with non-human primates and with a network of paraplegic clinics, which will hopefully open the doors to clinical trials involving anti-Nogo-A antibody treatment of freshly injured paraplegic patients in the near future. We are convinced that understanding and manipulating the factors that influence nerve fiber growth and functional recovery after spinal cord injury are important prerequisites for future therapies in humans.
Collaborations with other members of the Reeve Foundation International Research Consortium on Spinal Cord Injury will further support and optimize techniques and interventions that enhance the regeneration of CNS axons after injury and lead to improvement of functional recovery of the SCI.
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