Aaron DiAntonio, MD, PhD

Aaron DiAntonio, MD, PhD

Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Professor, Department of Developmental Biology

DiAntonio Lab website »

Core Usage and WUSTL Affiliations:

  • Siteman Cancer Center
  • The Hope Center for Neurological Disorders
  • Children’s Discovery Institute Board of Directors

Selected Grants and Awards:

  • Muscular Dystrophy Association
  • Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award
  • Keck Distinguished Young Scholar
  • McKnight Scholar

Maintenance of Functional Circuits in the Injured and Diseased Nervous System

Fruit fly neuromuscular junctions

The DiAntonio Laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms that control axon degeneration and regeneration in development and disease. They combine genetic, molecular, neuroanatomical, and electrophysiological studies in both fruit fly and mouse to identify pathways required for the development, maintenance, and regeneration of axons and synapses. Two major research foci are 1) axonal degeneration in disease and 2) axonal regeneration in response to injury.

The lab is defining the signaling pathways that are activated when an axon begins to degenerate, and has identified new therapeutic candidates for the prevention and/or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Simultaneously, they hope to develop methods to overcome the limited capacity of damaged axons to regenerate functional neural circuits in the injured and diseased nervous system.


Recent Publications and News

Aaron DiAntonio receives Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award from NINDS

Aaron DiAntonio (Department of Developmental Biology) received a Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award (R37) from the NINDS. Recipients must be nominated by NINDS staff and demonstrate significant, paradigm-shifting contributions to the NINDS mission. The award converts a standard R01 into a 7-year grant. Congratulations, Aaron!