Spinal Cord Injury and Regeneration in Zebrafish

Zebrafish can be used as a laboratory to explore the possibility of spinal cord regeneration in humans. This cartoon movie shows the multi-step process of spinal cord healing after an injury. Supporting glial cells (shown in red) are first to cross the gap between the severed ends of the cord. Neuronal cells (green) soon follow. Regeneration Next scientists at Duke University have discovered that a glial protein called connective tissue growth factor, or CTGF, is crucial for this process. Credit: Mayssa M