Nominator's project description
| In the nervous system information is transported in the form of electrical impulses. To this end, every nerve cell has an appendage, the function of which is similar to that of a telephone cable - the nerve fibres, also called axons. Axons run through the brain and the spinal cord to the switch points at the nerve roots and have a certain capacity for learning. They are able to adapt to new requirements. Not a lot is known about how this adaptation functions and how axons protect themselves against damage. So, Thomas Misgeld is investigating the axons of living mice using high resolution microscopy. He wants to discover how nerve fibres are nourished, adapted and maintain their efficiency in a healthy organism. This basic information could lead to the development of new therapies for diseases like multiple sclerosis or for spinal cord injuries. |
