Daniel Wehner

Daniel Wehner is a Researcher and head of the Neuroregeneration research group at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light and Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin in Erlangen, Germany. His work focuses on understanding spinal cord regeneration in zebrafish, contrasting their regenerative capacity with mammals' inability to recover from spinal cord injuries.

• B.Sc. in Bio- and Nanotechnologies, South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences
• Intercalated B.Sc. in Medical Biotechnology, Abertay University
• Ph.D. in Developmental Biology, Technische Universität Dresden/Ulm University

His research investigates the extracellular matrix (ECM) environment post-injury in zebrafish, using advanced optical imaging techniques like Brillouin microscopy and femtosecond laser systems to compare regeneration-permissive vs. scar-forming environments. Recent work highlights the role of microglia in tissue contraction and the inhibition of CNS regeneration by small leucine-rich proteoglycans.

Dr. Wehner's group develops humanized zebrafish models for therapeutic spinal cord repair strategies. He was awarded the ISRB Rising Star Award 2024 for pioneering contributions to regenerative biology. Contact: daniel.wehner@mpl.mpg.de

• 2024: ISRB Rising Star Award