Dr Bennett's Neural Regeneration Laboratory focuses on two complementary research goals. We study: The regulation of neural stem cell and progenitor fate by connexin protein family members influencing neuroregeneration and The role of glycerophospholipid neuromodulators in progressive neuronal dysfunction characterizing neurodegenerative disease. The overarching goals are to reduce the rate of neuronal loss associated with brain injury and facilitate cell replacement by mobilizing endogenous progenitor cell populations.

The purpose of our lab’s research is to develop new therapies for neurodegenerative disease. Research focuses on discovery (what is going wrong at the level of membrane?), target (how do these lipid changes affect integral membrane protein function?), diagnostics (are circulating lipids in patients biomarkers of neurodegenerative disease progression?) and therapeutics (can existing drugs and new plant-derived compounds be repurposed to treat neurodegenerative disease?).