Nafiisha Genet, Research Associate

The subventricular zone (SVZ) is the largest neural stem cell (NSC) niche in the adult brain; herein, quiescent NSC directly contact micro-vascular endothelial cells (EC). Precise mechanisms by which NSC-EC interactions in the NSC control NSC behavior and neurogenesis are unclear. I aim to determine the role of NSC-EC gap junctional interactions via connexin 43 in the regulation of NSC behavior in vivo and in vitro under normal brain homeostasis conditions and in an injury-induced neuro-regeneration model.