UNLOCKING THE SECRET OF MYELINATION
DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR MYELIN DISORDERS
OUR RESEARCH
Our laboratory main research areas are myelin and peripheral neuropathies. Myelin insulates axons and is essential for impulse transmission in the nervous system. We are interested in both the development of myelin and how myelin is targeted in genetic, traumatic and acquired disorders. This includes multiple sclerosis, leukodystrophies, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome and others. Also recent advances have linked myelin to cognition and several neuropsychiatric diseases such as depression and schizophrenia. To explore both development and disease of myelin, we use a variety of models, including in vitro myelination assays, to study both the genetic control of myelin formation and maintenance and myelin repair. We are especially interested in peripheral neuropathies associated with myelin defects.
Peripheral neuropathies are a major public health problem (affecting ~ 30 million people in the U.S.) with a significant social and economic burden. These diseases severely impact the quality of life for patients whose symptoms can range from numbness, burning pain, loss of sensation, loss of balance, muscle wasting, foot deformities, paralysis, organ dysfunction to amputation. Effective prognosis and treatment of peripheral neuropathies relies heavily on the cause of the nerve damage. There is no effective prevention or cure for inherited peripheral neuropathies, and patient care is limited to treating symptomatic pain relief, which is often suboptimal. Their etiology can be due to axonal damage or to dysfunction of the myelin cells that enwrap peripheral axons in myelin and ensure their survival.
Peripheral Neuropathies
Our current research projects address:
> Mechanical stimulation and peripheral nerve repair
Myelin cells are physiological exposed to mechanical stresses occurring during development, adulthood and injuries. Understanding how mechanical stimuli interfere with the cellular and molecular biology of myelin cells could open new insights to the regulation of the nervous system and treatment approaches in peripheral neuropathies.
> Regulation of neuron-myelin communication
An underappreciated aspect of the neuron-myelin cooperation is how axon communicate with myelin cells. We identify novel signalling pathways to promote myelination and the formation of a functional alternative myelin. We intend to determine if the stimulation of these pathways could be beneficial to therapies against demyelinating disorders.
OUR TEAM
Sophie Belin, M.Sc., Ph.D.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, CO-LEAD OF THE MYELIN LAB
Ph.D. 2009 - Aix Marseille University
A native of France, Sophie earned two M.Sc. degrees, in biochemistry and human pathology from Aix-Marseille University before obtaining a Ph.D. degree in medical genetic. She was trained by leaders in the fields of inherited demyelinating neuropathies (Dr. Michel Fontés, Dr. Alessandra Bolino and Pr. Lawrence Wrabetz) and neurons physiology (Pr. Gabriella Popescu). Her research focuses on the mechanisms and pharmacological approaches of myelinopathies. In addition to research, Sophie is the proud mother of two daughters, Elwenn and Maëlle, an avid baker and a homesteading enthusiast.
Yannick Poitelon, M.Sc., Ph.D.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, CO-LEAD OF THE MYELIN LAB
Ph.D. 2009 - Aix Marseille University
Yannick is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College. He was trained by Pr. Laura Feltri and Dr. Valerie Delague. Yannick has a longstanding interest in mechanisms underlying myelin formation in health and disease. His studies have contributed to the understanding of axon-glia interaction, myelinating cells metabolism and provided insights to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a group of inherited neuromuscular disorders affecting the peripheral nervous system. Outside of the lab, he enjoy board games, sci-fi and fantasy media, and cooking.
LAB MEMBERS
Jenica Acheta
PostDOCTORAL Researcher
Ph.D. 2024 - Albany Medical College
Dr. Acheta is a highly skilled biomedical engineer with advanced training in neuroscience and clinical investigation, driven by a passion for pioneering new treatments for peripheral neuropathies. She leads an innovative team of three researchers on a cutting-edge preclinical project exploring Low-Intensity Ultrasound as a therapeutic approach to enhance nerve regeneration and remyelination.
Jiayue Hong
Ph.D. student, AMC
B.Sc. 2021 - Neuroscience
Julia Zajaceskowski
Research Assistant
B.Sc. 2023 - Biology
Sophia Elston
Research Assistant
B.Sc. 2023 - Biomedical Sciences
Ethan McFarland
Research Assistant
B.Sc. 2024 - Biological Sciences
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Mathieu DiPersio
Research Assistant
B.Sc. 2023 - Biological Sciences
Meghana Lanka
Medical Student, AMC
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Simar Arora
Medical Student, AMC
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Julianne French
B.A. Student, SIENA College
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Hashita Nimmagadda
B.S. student, RPI
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Amani Dinar
B.S. student, RPI
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Ei Aung
H.S. student, Columbia High School
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Kaitlin Munro
H.S. student, Saratoga Springs high school
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SOME OF OUR ALUMNI & THEIR NEXT POSITION
Graduate students
Haley Jeanette, Clinical Research Coordinator @ Neurological Associates of Albany
Rebekah Garfolo, Research Associate @ Modalis Therapeutics
Clémence Roué, Ph.D. student @ Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier
Jenica Acheta, Postdoctoral Researcher @ Albany Medical College
High School students
Grace Davis, B.Sc. student @ University of Vermont
Rachel Close, B.Sc. student @ Cornell University
Eujeong Choi, B.Sc. student @ Stanford University
Sameeha Liton, B.Sc. student @ Stony Brook University
Onovughapkor Otitigbe Dangerfield, B.Sc. student @ Harvard University
Mariya Shareef, B.A. student @ University of Southern California
Medical students
Sejal Kabre, M.D. (OB/GYN) @ Bridgeport, CT
Undergrad trainees
Linda Barenboim, Registered Nurse @ Albany Medical Health System
Jacob Herron, Quality control scientist @ Regeneron
Sarah Haslam, Ph.D. student @ University of Utah
Kyle Rich, Microbiologist @ Curia Global
Urja Bhatia, Ph.D. student @ Kent State University
Tasnim Naina, M.D. student @ Stony Brook School of Medicine
Brianna Beck, Lab Manager @ SUNY Buffalo
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
- 3 most recent years -
Wilson ER, Nunes GD, Shen S, Moore S, Gawron J, Maxwell J, Syed U, Hurley E, Lanka M, Qu J, Désaubry L, Wrabetz L, Poitelon Y, Feltri ML. Loss of prohibitin 2 in Schwann cells dysregulates key transcription factors controlling developmental myelination. Glia 2024 Dec;72(12):2247-2267.
Moore SM, Jeong E, Zahid M, Gawron J, Arora S, Belin S, Sim F, Poitelon Y, Feltri ML. Loss of YAP in Schwann cells improves HNPP pathophysiology. Glia 2024 Nov;72(11):1974-1984.
Hong J, Garfolo R, Kabre S, Humml C, Velanac V, Roué C, Beck B, Jeanette H, Haslam S, Bach M, Arora S, Acheta J, Schwab MH, Nave KA, Jourd’heuil D, Poitelon Y, Belin S. PMP2 regulates myelin thickening and ATP production during remyelination. Glia 2024 May;72(5):885-898.
Hong J, Kirkland J, Acheta J, Marziali NL, Beck B, Jeanette H, Bhatia U, Davis G, Herron J, Roué C, Abi Ghanem C, Feltri ML, Zuloaga KL, Bechler M, Poitelon Y, Belin S. YAP and TAZ regulate remyelination in the central nervous system. Glia 2024 Jan;72(1):156-166.
Abi-Ghanem C, Salinero AE, Kordit D, Mansour FM, Kelly RD, Venkataganesh H, Kyaw NR, Gannon OJ, Riccio D, Fredman G, Poitelon Y, Belin S, Kopec AM, Robison LS, Zuloaga KL. Sex differences in the effects of high fat diet on underlying neuropathology in a mouse model of VCID. Biol Sex Differ 2023 May 19;14(1):31.
El-Bazzal L, Ghata A, Estève C, Gadacha J, Quintana P, Castro C, Roeckel-Trévisiol N, Lembo F, Lenfant N, Mégarbané A, Borg JP, Lévy N, Bartoli M, Poitelon Y, Roubertoux PL, Delague V, Bernard-Marissal N. Imbalance of Neuregulin1-ErbB2/3 signaling underlies altered myelin homeostasis in models of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4H. Brain 2023 May 2;146(5):1844-1858.
Acheta J, Bhatia U, Jeanette H, Hong J, Rich K, Close R, Bechler ME, Belin S, Poitelon Y. Piezo channels contribute to the regulation of myelination in Schwann cells. Glia 2022 Dec;70(12):2276-2289.
Belin S, Maki BA, Catlin J, Rein BA, Popescu GK. Membrane Stretch Gates NMDA Receptors. J Neurosci 2022 Jul 20;42(29):5672-5680.
Acheta J, Hong J, Jeanette H, Brar S, Yalamanchili A, Feltri ML, Manzini MC, Belin S, Poitelon Y. Cc2d1b Contributes to the Regulation of Developmental Myelination in the Central Nervous System. Front Mol Neurosci 2022 May 3;15:881571
Acheta J, Stephens SBZ, Belin S, Poitelon Y. Therapeutic Low-Intensity Ultrasound for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration - A Schwann Cell Perspective. Front Cell Neurosci 2022. Jan 5;15:812588.
For a complete list of publications, click:
RECENT NEWS
- 3 most recent years -
7/25/2024 - The Myelin lab receives an R03 from the NIA to study how aging modulates the axon-Schwann cell interface
2/15/2024 - The Myelin lab receives an R03 from the NINDS to develop a model for the human demyelinating peripheral neuropathy CMT1G
1/19/2024 - The Myelin Laboratory receives a $2.6M grant from the NINDS to study the role and function of fatty-acid chaperones in Schwann cell myelination
05/01/2023 - The Myelin Laboratory receives support from the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region to determine whether low-intensity ultrasound application promotes nerve regeneration
4/20/2023 - Jenica receives the 2023 Dean's Certificate and Prize for Excellence in Research award from AlbanyMed
4/18/2023 - Sophie receives a $50,000 Bridge Grant award from AlbanyMed
6/9/2022 - Jenica and Yannick receive a $140,000 NIH Diversity award
5/10/2022 - Yannick received the Sosa Academy Educational Development and Innovation Award for founding and directing the Postdoc Development Program in NY Capital Region.
CONTACT
Myelin Lab
Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics
Albany Medical College
47 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, NY, 12208
Drs. Belin & Poitelon offices:
Albany Medical College
MS building, room 514 (Belin)
MR building, room 321 (Poitelon)
Email: belins@amc.edu
Email: poitely@amc.edu
Office Phone: (518) 262-2173
JOIN US
We currently have several openings for Graduate Students (Ph.D., Master) positions. See details below, and please inquire at: Sophie Belin or Yannick Poitelon.
Why Join the MYelin Lab
Mentoring and training the premier neuroscientists of future generations is a top priority of the Myelin Laboratory. Our goal is to help each and every lab member enjoy daily life in the lab as well as fulfill their maximum potential. All lab members are expected to be helpful, supportive and respectful of all other lab members. All lab members will have the opportunity to investigate questions that interest them and to give and receive mentorship to others in the lab.
We are committed to helping our trainees achieve the scientific and career goals they set for themselves. Trainees in the lab are mentored one-on-one, in small group settings (2-3 people) and as a group. We emphasize the importance of rigorous experimental design, the use of 'working models' to guide the interpretation of data and the central importance of effective oral and written communication skills. We encourage our trainees to present their preliminary work at local, national or international meetings and work with them to describe finished results in high-quality, first-author publications.
INTERESTED IN JOINING?
Postdoctoral candidates should contact us via email, describing a specific line of investigation relevant to the research goals of the lab (What scientific question, exactly, most excites or intrigues you?).
Prospective and current graduate students who are interested in joining the lab can contact us directly. We look forward to hearing from you! If you are planning to apply to Albany Medical College for graduate school please feel free to contact us to find out more about the lab beforehand. We always have room for inspired students to discover their talents! More information on how to enroll in the Neuroscience graduate program can be found here.
If you are currently an undergraduate student looking for a research opportunity, please email us with your prior experience (research, computational, or otherwise), any relevant coursework, a rough estimate of how much time you plan to spend in the lab and a short statement about your career goals.
We also welcome applications from high school students for positions in the lab.