Axons connect single neurons to distant parts of the brain and
body. During development, the directional growth and branching
of axons underlies the formation of neuronal circuitry, and in
adults, the structure and integrity of axons is essential for
proper function and maintenance of the nervous system. A
challenge to treating injuries to the CNS, including spinal cord
injuries, , neurodegenerative diseases, and stroke, is that we
have few methods to stimulate and control the re-growth and/or
new growth of axons. Despite the presence of inhibitory factors
to regeneration in the CNS, most neurons have an intrinsic
capacity to initiate axonal re-growth after injury. We are
interested in the cellular processes that underlie the
initiation of regeneration in neurons. We have recently
developed a new assay that allows for the study of regeneration
and injury responses in Drosophila larvae. A highly conserved
axonal kinase, Wallenda, (DLK in vertebrates) is required in
neurons to initiate a regenerative response t