The Neural Regeneration Focus group brings together researchers interested in understanding the mechanisms of neural development, modeling neural disorders and harnessing the potential of neural regeneration. The group promotes communication within the group and identifies areas of collaboration. The Neuroregeneration SFG strives to include researchers in diverse disciplines and welcomes investigators working in areas outside of neural development and regeneration.
Mission:
The overall goal of the Neural Regeneration Focus Group is to bring together researchers with similar interests from across campus to improve communication, collaboration, resource sharing, fund raising and other activities within neural development, neural function and neural regeneration.
Group News:
January 29, 2026
Xinyu Zhao chaired a symposium “Mitochondrial Dynamics and Energy Metabolism in Neurodevelopmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders” in 2025 Society for Neuroscience Annual meeting (Nov 15-19, San Diego, CA)
November 2025
Congratulations to Natasha Mendez-Albelo a SCRMC pre-doctoral fellowship awardee, for receiving the 2025 Friends of Waisman Center Graduate Student Award
August 2025
Xinyu Zhao is awarded a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorship
June 2025
Group Leader:
Members:
Group News Archive:
Flashing lights may provide vital first test of MS drug success
Dec. 16, 2019
New technique enables versatil 3D control over stem cell-derived organoids
June 4, 2019
Video: Stem cells, lab to clinic: Researching cures for blinding disorders
Feb. 7, 2019
Scientists seek to improve quality control for genome editing therapies in the eye
Oct. 11, 2018
Five questions with Su-Chun Zhang, forger of brain cells
Nov. 29, 2018
Group Research Archive:
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Sandoval SO$*, Cappuccio G*, Kruth K*, Osenberg S*, (*equal contribution), Khalil S, Mendez-Albelo NM, Padmanabhan K, Wang D, Niciu MJ, Bhattacharyya A, Stein JL, Sousa AMM, Waxman E, Buttermore ED, Whye D, Sirois CL, Cross-IDDRC Human Stem Cell Consortium,Williams A#, Maletic-Savatic M#, Zhao X,# (#, co-correspondence) “Rigor and reproducibility in human brain organoid research: where we are and where we need to go” Stem Cell Reports (ISSCR society journal) 2024. It is a collaborative effort across 16 IDDRC centers over the past 4 years. It is considered a major milestone of our Cross-IDDRC Human Stem Cell Consortium. (see press release)
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Shen M*, Sirois CL*, Guo Y (Kristy)*, Li M*,(*equal contribution), Dong Q, Mendez-Albelo NM$, Gao Y, Khullar S$, Kissel L$, Sandoval SO$, Wolkoff N%, Huang SX%, Xu Z$, Bryan JE%, Contractor A%, Korabelnikov T%, Glass IA, Doherty D, Birth Defects Research Laboratory, Levine JE, Sousa AMM, Chang Q, Bhattacharyya A, Wang D, Werling DM, and Zhao X. Species-specific FMRP regulation of RACK1 is critical for prenatal cortical development. Neuron 2023. see News release.
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Guo Y(Kristy), Shen M, Dong Q, Mendez-Albelo NM$, Le J%, Li M, Huang SX%, Jarzembowski ED%, Schoeller KA%, Stockton ME%, Sirois CL, Horner VL, Sousa AMM, Gao Y, Birth Defects Research Laboratory, Levine JE, Wang D, Chang Q, Zhao, X. “Elevated levels of FMRP-target MAP1B impair human and mouse neuronal development and mouse social behaviors via autophagy pathway”Nature Communications June 26 2023 (see news release)