Daniel Suter

Title:

Professor

PhD Granting Institution:

University of Zurich

Contact:

Email Address: dsuter@purdue.edu
Office Phone: 765-496-1562
Lab Website Link: https://suterlab.bio.purdue.edu

Primary Training Group:

Integrative Neuroscience

Secondary Training Groups:

Membrane Biology

Research Areas:

Our laboratory focuses on the mechanisms of neuronal growth cone motility and guidance during development and regeneration. We use two model systems, Aplysia and zebrafish. Using the large Aplysia neurons in culture, we investigate how the growth cone integrates its sensor, signaling, and motility functions to achieve directional movements towards target cells and establish functional connections. Specifically, we would like to understand how extracellular signals, such as from cell adhesion molecules, are transduced inside the cell to affect the underlying cytoskeleton. We also take advantage of zebrafish embryos to image and manipulate early nervous system development as well as regeneration after injury in vivo.

Current Projects:

We currently have three major projects: 1. Role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in nervous system development 2. Mechanosensing by neuronal growth cones 3. Regeneration following spinal cord injury

Importance of Interdisciplinary Research:

Our research is both basic and translational, since we hope that our findings on basic mechanisms of neuronal growth can be applied to develop better treatment for neurological diseases including traumatic injuries. Interdisciplinary research is very important to us. We have used a variety of high-end imaging approaches in our own lab as well as with the help of other labs. We have engaged in various collaborations not only within our Department but also with groups in chemical, biomedical, and mechanical engineering at Purdue University.