This group is devoted to investigating the way in which functional, chemical and structural plasticity of neurons contributes to adaptive and maladaptive function of the mammalian nervous system. Our major efforts are devoted to the study of pain, the formation of neural circuits during development, and failure of regeneration of the adult CNS. Most of our work is concentrated on primary sensory and spinal cord neurons using a multidisciplinary approach spanning, molecular and cell biology, bioinformatics, synaptic electrophysiology, neuroanatomy, integrative systems biology and behavior. The group works closely with a wide number of academic groups and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry to identify and validate molecular targets for novel analgesics and axonal growth determinants.

Clifford J. Woolf, M.D., Ph.D.
Richard Kitz Chair of Anesthesia Research
Director
Neural Plasticity Research Group
Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care
Mass General Hospital & Harvard Medical School
149 13th Street
Charlestown, MA 02129
telephone: (617) 724-3622
fax: (617)724-3632
email: cwoolf@partners.org