Nikoletta Triantopoulou holds a B.Sc. in Biology and an M.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Patras, Greece. She is currently an HFRI fellow as a Ph.D. candidate under the supervision of Ass. Professor Marina Vidaki at the University of Crete Medical School, tackling a question with profound medical and societal implications: “Why do mature CNS axons fail to regenerate after injury?”. Driven by the hypotheses that the distinct molecular properties of axons are pivotal for their response to injury and facilitate their differential regenerative abilities, her aim is to construct a high-resolution map of molecular similarities and differences between mature CNS axons, their -capable of regeneration- developing counterparts, and mature peripheral nervous system (PNS) axons, which regain full functionality after trauma. To date, her findings, presented at local and international conferences, have revealed remarkable differences correlated with each axonal population’s capacity for regeneration, shedding light on specific intrinsic challenges that mature CNS axons seem to face in orchestrating crucial pro-regenerative processes. These observations have sparked her curiosity regarding the innate structural characteristics that may contribute to the inability of CNS axons to regenerate.

As a Visiting Research Student, Nikoletta will spend six months at Dr. Naoko Mizuno’s laboratory at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI – NIH). Her goal is to gain insights into the innate architecture of axons through the application of Cryo-Electron Tomography, a state-of-the-art microscopy method that allows for the visualization of subcellular structures at the nanoscale and under the closest-to-life conditions possible. This opportunity will not only enhance her understanding of axon regeneration through an additional viewpoint but also facilitate significant academic and cultural exchange. Upon returning to Greece, she is committed to integrating the data gathered during her Fulbright experience with her ongoing molecular studies. Through collaborative efforts and the combination of diverse perspectives, Nikoletta aspires to make meaningful contributions to the field of axon biology and help to address the complex issues surrounding CNS regeneration.