Jonathon Schofield

MSTP in PhD Training

Program: Neurosciences

Current advisor: Matthew D. Wood, PhD

Undergraduate university: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 2016

Enrollment year: 2020

Research summary
Role of guidance cues in peripheral nerve regeneration across acellular nerve allograft

My research focuses on the significant clinical challenge posed by peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) with long-gap nerve defects. Currently, acellular nerve allografts (ANAs) are employed to aid regeneration, but they only support regeneration across short nerve gaps (<3 cm), failing to produce the desired results for longer gaps. I am interested in understanding the role of canonical nervous system guidance cues (Netrins, ephrins, Semaphorins, and Slits) in the repair mechanisms of these long-gap defects. My objective is to delve into the spatiotemporal expression profiles of these guidance cues and their receptors during the regeneration process, and subsequently alter the presentation of these cues within ANAs implanted in rodent models that simulate long-gap injuries in humans. Graduate publications
Liebendorfer A, Finnan MJ, Schofield JB, Pinni SL, Acevedo-Cintrón JA, Schellhardt L, Snyder-Warwick AK, Mackinnon SE, Wood MD. 2023 Loss of Gata1 decreased eosinophils, macrophages, and type 2 cytokines in regenerating nerve and delayed axon regeneration after a segmental nerve injury. Exp Neurol, 362():114327. PMCID: