PROJECTS
The Fournier lab is interested in understanding the molecular basis of neurodegeneration and CNS injury in acute and inflammatory injury models.
Understanding neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis
Here we are characterizing the neuronal response to inflammation in terms of changes in microRNA expression, gene expression, and chromatin accessibility. Our goal is to understand how neurons respond to inflammatory insult in this disease and identify genes and pathways that might protect them from degeneration. In order to ask these questions, we work with a mouse model of multiple sclerosis and assess inflammation and neurodegeneration primarily in the retina and optic nerve. We also are identifying blood based biomarkers of neurodegeneration to enhance prognosis for progressive multiple sclerosis. This project is a cross-cutting analysis of EV-derived microRNAs from in vitro models of neurodegeneration using iPSC derived neurons and primary oligodendrocytes as well as patient blood and CSF samples.
Harnessing inflammation and small molecules for axon regeneration
Here we work with in vitro and in vivo methods of axon injury and outgrowth in order to screen novel drugs and microRNAs that may enhance axon regeneration after injury. Additionally, we take advantage of PAM3Cys intraocular inflammation that promotes axon regeneration followed by multimodal sequencing of retinal ganglion cells to understand what microRNAs and gene pathways may underlie the observed regenerative phenotype. We are additionally interested in the potent regenerative properties of fusiococcin and its interactions with 14-3-3 family proteins. Our lab specializes in optic nerve crush and intravitreal injection techniques which enables us to study these molecules in axon regeneration in the central nervous system.
Role of 14-3-3 proteins in neural development
We are interested in the family of 14-3-3 adapter proteins due to their ability to bind many proteins and their involvement in diverse processes of neuronal development. Our lab is actively studying how different isoforms are involved in synapse formation throughout development and their role in the development of oligodendrocytes and formation of the myelin sheath. We use advanced in vitro cell culture techniques including neuronal co-cultures to assess synapse formation, and oligodendrocyte cell cultures to look at myelin sheath production.