PMP22 and Peripheral Nerve Myelin
The Moss Lab focuses on uncovering molecular, cellular and systems mechanisms regulating myelin biology and peripheral nerve dysfunction, with a particular emphasis on Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and related inherited neuropathies. See More. https://www.kmosslab.com/
Our research addresses fundamental questions about the maintenance, remodeling, and pathology of myelin in health and disease.
We investigate how overexpression, underexpression and misexpression of Peripheral Myelin Protein 22 (PMP22) causes the inherited neuropathies CMT1A, HNPP and CMT1E. Key priorities include defining axon–glial interactions and determining how myelin architecture shapes nerve function.
To tackle these challenges, our lab employs a wide range of approaches to interrogate myelin biology across scales. High-resolution and super-resolution imaging (confocal, STED, electron microscopy) enable nanoscale visualization of myelin and its subdomains. Molecular and biochemical tools are used to dissect the function of PMP22 in health and disease, while functional readouts, including electrophysiology and behavioral assays, allow us to directly link molecular and structural changes to nerve performance.
The ultimate goal of the Moss Lab is to advance understanding of PMP22 neuropathies and support the development of mechanism-based therapies that deliver lasting benefit to patients. Through this work, our team contributes to the NextGen Precision Health mission of translating basic science discoveries into innovative treatments for neuromuscular disease.