05. 03. 2026
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The historic Villa Lanna is currently hosting the two-day international symposium Axon Repair 2026, organised by the IEM CAS, specifically the Department of Neuroregeneration, in collaboration with Professor James Fawcett from the Centre for Reconstructive Neuroscience and the University of Cambridge.
The mini-symposium provides a platform for in-depth discussion and reflection on the future direction of research in this field. At its core lies a question that remains unresolved: How can we support robust, long-term, and functionally meaningful axon regeneration in the central nervous system?
It is precisely this challenge that connects laboratories across continents – from studies of molecular mechanisms to the development of cell-based therapies. Neuroscientists from leading international institutions have gathered in Prague, including:
- McGill University, Canada
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Germany
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
- University of Miami, USA
- King’s College London, United Kingdom
- University of Porto, Portugal
A space for data and open questions
The symposium programme is divided into two main parts. The first is primarily dedicated to doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, who present the research focus of their laboratories. It is these early-career scientists who bring the latest experimental data, innovative methodological approaches, and original interpretations of results.
The second pillar of the programme consists of thematic discussion sessions devoted exclusively to open and unresolved questions in neuroscience research. In these discussions, research teams formulate new hypotheses, critically reassess established concepts, and openly share experimental dead ends and promising new directions.
Part of the P JAC – EXREGMED project
The Axon Repair 2026 symposium is part of The Johannes Amos Comenius Programme – Excellence in Regenerative Medicine, which supports the development of cutting-edge research and international collaboration in biomedicine.
The project helps create a platform that connects the experience of internationally renowned scientists with the energy of the next generation, while strengthening the position of Czech research within the global scientific environment.
Events such as Axon Repair confirm that genuine progress in neuroscience arises not only from publishing results but also from sharing critical questions and seeking answers together.