Microscope image of cells, light purple and dark purple, represents an hematoxylin & eosin staining of a slice of mouse cerebellum.
Former Wrabetz Laboratory
The Wrabetz Laboratory was interested in the molecular genetics of myelination, studied primarily in transgenic mice. They focused on the pathogenesis of inherited demyelinating neuropathies, and they developed and characterized multiple mouse models of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathies.
The laboratory closed in July 2022 when Dr. Wrabetz retired. In an effort to preserve Dr. Wrabetz's scientific legacy, we have preserved this page which includes the research he was working on at the end of his career, plus created an archive page which summarizes his entire career.
On this page:
Wrabetz Research Overview
The Wrabetz Laboratory was interested in the molecular genetics of myelination, studied primarily in transgenic mice. They focused on the pathogenesis of inherited demyelinating neuropathies, and developed and characterized multiple mouse models of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathies. By introducing authentic CMT mutations from patients into these mice, they were revealing the mechanisms of disease, potential avenues of therapy and the opportunity to test resulting medicines in preclinical trials for CMT. Dr. Wrabetz's laboratory translated this experience into the generation of new mouse models of Krabbe disease that carry authentic GalC mutations found in patients with diverse clinical phenotypes. These animal models will provide insight into the effect of different mutations on the function of the galactosylceramidase protein and on the pathogenesis of the disease. Dr. Wrabetz's work was supported by the National Institutes of Health; Telethon, Italy; the European Community, the Italian and Great Britain Multiple Sclerosis Societies, the Mariani Foundation, the Cariplo Foundation, SUNY Brain Network of Excellence, and the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association.
Faculty and Staff
Dr. Lawrence Wrabetz
Founding Director, 2011 - 2022
Professor Emeritus
Lawrence Wrabetz M.D. was the Founding Director of the Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration and Professor in Neurology and Biochemistry in the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo.
- March 2022 - present: Research Scientist focusing on the transcription factors regulation in Oligodendroctes development with TurboID, Mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, inducible expression Oli-neu cell lines generated with CRISPR/Cas9 system and transposon system at Institute for Myelin and Glia.
- January 2016 - March 2022: Research Technician III focusing on protein post-translational modification research at Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, Park Laboratory, University at Buffalo, NY, USA
- 2009 - 2014: He became a postdoctoral researcher at Roswell Park Cancer Institute from Nov 2009, until Nov 2014.
- 2003: PhD in Cell Biology, at Life Sciences School, Shandong University, Shandong, China.
- 1992 - 2003: Shandong non-metallic geological engineering exploration academy (www.sinoma-shdd.cn), China National Materials Group Corporation (www.sinoma.cn)
- 1992: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Exploratory Geophysics, at Changchun Geology College, Jilin, China
Past Members
- Nicolo' Musner, PhD Student
- Franscesca Ornaghi, PhD Student
- Neil Robertson, Undergraduate Student
- Paola Saveri, Research Technician
- Domenica Vizzuso, PhD Student
- Sophie Belin, Postdoctoral Research Scientist
- Mariapaola Sidoli, PhD Student
- Jordan VerPlank, PhD Student
- Chelsey Reed, PhD Student
- Ghjuvan'Ghjacumu Shackleford, Postdoctoral Research Scientist
- Joseph Abdul-Malak, Undergraduate student, Biomedical Sciences
Selected Publications
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