Alexandra Byrne

Alexandra Byrne is an Assistant Professor at UMass Chan Medical School in the T.H. Chan School of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology. She leads a research laboratory focused on investigating mechanisms of axon regeneration and degeneration in the aging nervous system. Her work examines how adult neurons repair themselves after injury or disease, with particular focus on the genetic and cellular mechanisms regulating neuronal repair.

Research in the Byrne Lab centers on two primary areas: identifying mechanisms regulating adult axon regeneration through functional genomics, and characterizing these mechanisms using genetic analyses, cell biology, chemical genetics, laser axotomy, and imaging. The lab employs C. elegans as a model organism to study conserved regulators of axon regeneration in vivo.

Recent publications demonstrate a focus on axon regeneration mechanisms, neurodegenerative processes, and the development of novel imaging techniques. Research trends include investigations into SARM1 signaling pathways, molecular mechanisms of synapse reformation, and neural circuit functionality using model organisms.