Kernie Lab

Research in the Kernie Lab is focused on elucidating mechanisms of the brain’s self-repair following injury. We have developed a number of novel mouse transgenic animals that allow for specific ablation or activation of hippocampal neural stem cells, which are known to provide neurons to critical areas of the brain throughout life. The Kernie Lab was the first to describe the phenomenon of injury-induced neurogenesis and subsequently experimentally demonstrated that this response is required for recovery from traumatic brain injury. These studies have been highlighted in Scientific American, US News and World Reports, and Science News for their impact on how we view and potentially treat devastating brain injuries in children and adults. Since joining Columbia University in 2011, Dr. Kernie remains focused on his lab-based studies that investigate mechanisms underlying self-repair following injury. He has maintained continual funding from the NIH for his work since 2001.