Lab

Catherina & Thomas Becker Lab

Lab ID
ZDB-LAB-010302-1
PI / Directory
Becker, Catherina G.
Becker, Thomas
Contact Person
Becker, Catherina G.
Email
catherina.becker@tu-dresden.de
URL
https://tu-dresden.de/cmcb/crtd/forschungsgruppen/crtd-forschungsgruppen/becker
Address
Center for Regenerative Therapies (CRTD) TU Dresden Fetscherstr 105 01307 Dresden Germany and Centre for Neuroregeneration The University of Edinburgh The Chancellor's Building 49 Little France Crescent Edinburgh EH16 4SB United Kingdom
Country
Germany
Phone
+49 351 45882040
Fax
Line Designation
ue
Genomic Features
Statement of Research Interest
Our group's research contributes to a better understanding of the factors governing generation of neurons and axonal pathfinding in the CNS during development and regeneration. We use the zebrafish model to identify fundamental mechanisms in vertebrates with clear translational implications for CNS injury and neurodegenerative diseases.

The Becker group is pursuing 3 main lines of research.

01. Regenerative Neurogenesis

We are investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying successful regeneration of the zebrafish spinal cord, focussing on the activation of spinal-intrinsic progenitor cells by the lesion and lesion induced neurogenesis (Becker and Becker (2015) Neuronal Regeneration from Ependymo-radial Glial Cells: Cook, Little Pot, Cook! Developmental Cell 32(4):516-27), as well as axonal regeneration (Becker and Becker (2014) Axonal Regeneration in Zebrafish. Current Opinion in Neurobiology 27C:186-191).

02. Maintaining and repairing motor neurons in SMA and ALS

We are using automated chemical compound screen in zebrafish models of motor neurone diseases, mainly spinal muscular atrophy, to identify targets for therapy. My group a founding member of the SMA UK Research Consortium, funded by the SMA Trust with £1.3m.

03. Repair and plasticity of the spinal locomotor network

We are investigating the molecular factors controlling the development of the spinal locomotor network to identify the fundamental relationship between network and function.
Lab Members
El-Daher, François Post-Doc Enos, Stephen Post-Doc Kessel, Friederike Post-Doc
Oprişoreanu, Ana-Maria Post-Doc Westphal, Markus Post-Doc Branch, Rachel Graduate Student
Drake, Louisa Graduate Student Lake, Elizabeth Graduate Student Ng, Tom Graduate Student
Richmond, Claire Graduate Student Scuccess, Luisa Graduate Student Tian, Xiaobo Graduate Student
Zöller, Daniela Technical Staff
Zebrafish Publications of lab members