The Myelin Repair Foundation (MRF) Principal Investigators were selected based on their complementary knowledge and expertise, their past contributions to advancing our understanding of the key biological processes and interactions that control myelination and their common interest in developing treatments to repair myelin. Each investigator, along with the resources of their laboratories, is critical to MRF achieving its goals.

The Principal Investigators:

• Ben Barres, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University
• Robert H. Miller, Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University
• Stephen D. Miller, Ph.D., Northwestern University
• Brian Popko, Ph.D., University of Chicago

Read the bios and vita for each investigator, and see their recent publications.

Areas of Expertise

Taken together, the areas of expertise for the five PIs and their labs cover a broad range of the research necessary to understand the basic mechanisms of myelination in the central nervous system, how these mechanisms are disrupted by multiple sclerosis (MS) and how to induce myelin repair.

Areas of expertise by lab:

The ongoing “refreshing” of the five-year research plan in response to discoveries is one of the most dynamic and effective features of MRF’s accelerated research collaboration model. In particular, it enables the scientists to move their experiments forward in tandem with one another as the experiments are completed.

It also allows the scientists and MRF’s Scientific Advisory Board to review on a regular basis the proposed experiments and the degree to which those experiments remain focused on the ultimate goal of identifying and validating myelin repair therapeutic targets. More than 80% of the projects in the 2006-07 Research Plan require cooperative efforts between two or more MRF labs. 

To find out more, download these PDFs:

• Research Plan Summary (PDF)
• Research Progress Update (PDF)

In addition, you can read about our latest work in the President’s Message.

- Back to top -