Wehner Group

Spinal cord injury (SCI) severs axons which then fail to regrow, resulting in permanent sensorimotor and autonomic dysfunction with debilitating consequences for affected individuals. Locally forming fibrous scar tissue, composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) deposits, presents a major barrier to axon regeneration because of its adverse biochemical and mechanical properties. Despite decades of research, no effective treatment which can promote axon regeneration across central nervous system (CNS) scars exists. Unlike humans and other mammals, zebrafish are capable of long-distance axon regeneration after SCI, leading to near full recovery of locomotor function. Their elevated central nervous system (CNS) regenerative capacity stems mainly from a specific regeneration-favorable injury ECM, which we have demonstrated previously (Wehner et al. 2017. Nat Commun; Tsata et al. 2021. Dev Cell; Kolb et al. 2023. Nat Commun; John et al. 2025. Cell Rep).  We are investigating the regulation, biochemical composition, and mechanical properties of the regeneration-promoting ECM in the zebrafish spinal lesion site, with the end goal of pinpointing critical differences to scar-forming processes in the mammalian CNS. Key questions which our research addresses are:

• How are regeneration-permissive lesion environments established after CNS injury?

• How can CNS axon regeneration be promoted in regeneration-limiting environments?

To answer these questions, we are using a broad range of imaging technologies, genetics, and molecular biology methods. Furthermore, we are developing innovative humanized zebrafish models to explore new therapeutic approaches to spinal cord repair. Our research is part of the  CRC1540 Exploring Brain Mechanics.

We are also glad to host the research group of Matthias Pechmann in our laboratory at the Institute of Zoology. His group focuses on the early development of spider embryos. You can find more information on his exciting research here.