Kathryn Wu

During development, Schwann cells (SCs)–important non-neuronal cells within the peripheral nervous system–first sort axons by size and then selectively myelinate large axons to allow fast electrical signaling within peripheral nerves. The loss of or failure to form peripheral nervous system myelin can result in disability or even death. To treat these conditions, we need to understand how SCs sort and myelinate axons.

Both radial sorting and myelination require SCs to extend and maneuver cytoplasmic protrusions: during radial sorting, SC protrusions surround bundles of axons, reach within these bundles, and sort out the axons that will be myelinated. During myelination, individual SC protrusions spirally wrap around a given axon ~60 times. I will use mouse knockout studies and cryo-electron microscopy to determine which molecular mechanisms underlie these remarkable SC movements. This project aims to advance our understanding of how SCs execute key developmental processes and inform treatment options for SC-related diseases.