Chieh Chang

The research in Dr. Chang's laboratory addresses these questions: How do neurons regulate the transition of sequential events in neuronal connectivity from axon pathfinding to synapse formation? How do neurons regenerate and repair themselves after an injury? How does age influence the intrinsic nerve regeneration ability? How are neuronal degeneration and regeneration related? What mechanisms govern dendritic arborization of a nociceptive neuron to ensure uniform sensory coverage of skin that envelops the entire animal body? Dr. Chang asks these questions mainly in the context of nematode C. elegans with an overarching goal of establishing basic principles underlying the development and regeneration of neural circuits that can be applicable to other model organisms. Dr. Chang has studied signaling mechanisms that control gene expression, organogenesis, nerve pathfinding, and nerve regeneration for nearly nineteen years. While intense scrutiny has been focused on dissecting molecular functions in neurons with sufficient spatial resolution, so far there is not enough temporal information to fully understand involved mechanisms. Dr. Chang's lab hopes to understand timing mechanisms for orderly neuronal connectivity in development and regeneration decline in neuronal aging.