John Svaren

John Svaren, Ph.D. is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a member of the Waisman Center, which is dedicated to research in developmental disabilities. His laboratory investigates the role of transcriptional and epigenomic changes in the dynamic reprogramming of Schwann cells during development and after nerve injury, as Schwann cells play multiple pro-regenerative roles. Our studies also include translational projects related to peripheral neuropathy as we have been engaged in identifying regulatory elements in the human PMP22 gene, which is duplicated in one of the most common forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Finally, our investigations of gene networks involved in Schwann cell homeostasis and peripheral neuropathy have contributed to development of biomarkers that can be used in clinical trials for CMT. He is a member of the board of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association, and chair of its scientific advisory board. His laboratory focuses on gene regulation of peripheral nerve myelination and translational research for the heritable neuropathy Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT). The latter studies include development of drug screening assays, biomarker development, and genomic/epigenomic studies of peripheral neuropathy, with a focus on the most prevalent form of CMT (CMT1A).