The Neuroregeneration Program

The Neuroregeneration program focuses on studies to understand the basic mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration or neurologic injury in Parkinson’s disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists use human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can develop into any cell type in the body, to study these disorders. The work is relevant to many additional disorders of the nervous system, such as autism, schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disease, stroke, peripheral nerve disease and chronic pain. Some studies are working to crystallize or recreate proteins that may play crucial roles in cell death, develop stem cell-based therapies for neurologic disease and understand how cells communicate in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. 

Read about Parkinson's disease research.


The Neuroregeneration Program at Johns Hopkins’ Institute for Cell Engineering

Researcher Valina Dawson introduces the Neuroregeneration Program, where scientists study causes and potential treatments for conditions such as Parkinson’s and stroke.

Faculty

  • Seth Blackshaw, Ph.D.

    • Professor of Neuroscience
    • Joint Appointment in Ophthalmology

    Expertise: Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Neurogenetics, Obesity

  • Ted M. Dawson, M.D., Ph.D.

    • Director, Institute for Cell Engineering
    • Leonard and Madlyn Abramson Professor in Neurodegenerative Diseases
    • Professor of Neurology
    • Professor of Neuroscience
    • Professor of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences

    Expertise: Neurology, Parkinson's Disease

  • Valina L. Dawson, Ph.D.

    • Director, Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering,
    • Professor of Neurology
    • Professor of Neuroscience
    • Professor of Physiology
  • Han Seok Ko, Ph.D., M.S.

    • Professor of Neurology

    Expertise: Parkinson's Disease

  • Gabsang Lee, Ph.D.

    • Professor of Neurology
    • Professor of Neuroscience

    Expertise: Muscular Dystrophies, Peripheral Nerve Disorders

  • Xiaobo Mao, Ph.D.

    • Associate Professor of Neurology
  • Chan Hyun Na, Ph.D., M.S.

    • Associate Professor of Neurology
  • Jinchong Xu, Ph.D.

    • Director, Human iPS Cell Core for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Johns Hopkins Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
    • Assistant Professor of Neurology