Understanding the workings of the human central nervous system (CNS) with its millions of neurons generating trillions of connections is a formidable challenge. Fortunately, to uncover the basic rules, we can turn to simpler organisms. I am making use of the simple fruit fly Drosophila to study evolutionary conserved mechanisms in CNS development and disease. Using classical genetics, molecular biology, transgenics and micromanipulation I study the embryonic development of the CNS to understand how damage in the CNS can be repaired. I also investigate the transcriptional program ensuring the correct formation of neural networks
