The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has been awarded a $210,600 Project Grant under the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke's (NINDS) Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders (CFDA 93.853) federal grant program. The funding will support research to investigate how Wnt signaling pathways contribute to the formation and function of Schwann cell repair cells, which are critical for restoring peripheral nerve function after injury. The 5-year research project aims to provide insights into the molecular mechanisms controlling Schwann cell plasticity and explore whether modulating Wnt antagonists can enhance peripheral nerve regeneration. The award will enable UCLA researchers to develop viral vector tools, advance transcriptomic analysis techniques, and gain expertise in cellular reprogramming - all towards the goal of better understanding Schwann cell responses to nerve damage. The findings from this research are intended to inform the development of future R01 grant proposals that will further elucidate the role of Wnt signaling in Schwann cell-mediated nerve repair.