• Welcome
    4/13/22
    Welcome to the Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration. Our institute includes both basic science and clinical science arms where neuroscientists and clinicians are working together to study myelin and its diseases.
  • Wrabetz Laboratory
    4/13/22
    The Wrabetz Laboratory is interested in the molecular genetics of myelination, studied primarily in transgenic mice. 
  • Park Laboratory
    4/13/22
    Our research goal is to understand the transcriptional regulatory network governing the differentiation of oligodendrocytes and central nervous system myelination.
  • Paez Laboratory
    4/13/22
    During the past five years Dr. Paez have found new and novel functions of voltage and store-operated Ca ++ channels as modulators of intracellular Ca ++ levels in oligodendrocytes.
  • Feltri Laboratory
    4/13/22
    We study how glial cells form the myelin sheath and support axons during development, in healthy tissues and in diseases such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth, Multiple Sclerosis and Krabbe disease.

What We Do

The Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration (formerly the Hunter James Kelly Research Institute) is dedicated to unlock the secrets of myelination in the nervous system and to find therapies for diseases of myelin such as Multiple Sclerosis, Leukodystrophies and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. We are supported by the University at Buffalo, New York State and extramural funds.

Meet Our Faculty & Staff

HJKRI.

Our Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration scientists hail from five continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America!  We believe this makes for effective and creative research, comprising research approaches literally from all over the world!

Laboratories

New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics Life Sciences Building.

The basic research conducted at the Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration is based on a multi-disciplinary approach to understand how myelin is formed, how it is damaged in disease, and how it may be repaired.  Myelin diseases cause neurological problems by interfering with neuronal and axon function, so an important focus of Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration is to understand, prevent and reverse axonal degeneration.  We use a variety of state-of-the art approaches that include genetic models, bioinformatics, primary cultures of neuronal and glial cells form patients and animal models, neurophysiology and live imaging.  

STEM Advocacy.

At the Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration we value diversity. We commit to a welcoming environment for all, including people of any race, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, language, (dis)ability, political perspective, underrepresented minorities, and people from disadvantageous backgrounds, or victims of any forms of violence. Our diversity, equity, and inclusion committee works to support our students, staff, and faculty, in order to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within our institute, and ensure all are given equal opportunities and receive impartial and fair treatment.

At the Institute for Myelin and Glia Exploration, we strongly believe that diversity strengthens our science and is a resource and a benefit for everyone, and we stand against discrimination towards anybody.  

Feedback regarding concerns you may have, an experience you have had, or ideas on how we can improve diversity in our institute are encouraged and appreciated.

["ADVOCATE in STEM" Logo designed by the Smith Laboratory.  Used with permission.]

Site Updated July 12, 2022