In silico model of axonal pathfinding during spinal cord regeneration in zebrafish larvae
Neumann O, Kravikass M, John N, Gopalan Ramachandran R, Steinmann P, Zaburdaev V, Wehner D, Budday S (2026)
Publication Status: Submitted
Publication Type: Unpublished / Preprint
Future Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Original Authors: Oskar Neumann, Mathar Kravikass, Nora John, Rahul Gopalan Ramachandran, Paul Steinmann, Vasily Zaburdaev, Daniel Wehner, Silvia Budday
DOI: 10.64898/2026.04.17.719187
Abstract
Functional spinal cord repair in zebrafish is governed by regeneration-favorable biochemical and mechanical cues within the lesion microenvironment. Alterations in extracellular matrix composition and stiffness are closely associated with axon regeneration. However, experimentally dissecting the interplay between mechanical signals and axonal regrowth in vivo remains technically challenging. Here, we present an agent-based modeling framework to simulate stiffness-mediated axonal growth trajectories across the lesion. We use this model to explore potential mechanisms underlying the characteristic growth patterns observed during zebrafish spinal cord regeneration. Computational predictions were qualitatively compared with confocal imaging data obtained from larval zebrafish. These phenomenological comparisons revealed a close agreement between simulated and experimentally observed axon growth, indicating that experimentally observed patterns could be governed by transient changes in the stiffness profile of the spinal cord and lesion microenvironment. Hence, our computational framework provides an in silico platform for investigating the role of mechanical cues in axon regeneration in the injured spinal cord.
Authors with CRIS profile
Oskar Neumann
Lehrstuhl für Technische Mechanik (LTM)
Mathar Kravikass
Sonderforschungsbereich 1540/1 - Erforschung der Mechanik des Gehirns (EBM): Verständnis, Engineering und Nutzung mechanischer Eigenschaften und Signale in der Entwicklung, Physiologie und Pathologie des zentralen Nervensystems
Nora John
Rahul Gopalan Ramachandran Sonderforschungsbereich 1540/1 - Erforschung der Mechanik des Gehirns (EBM): Verständnis, Engineering und Nutzung mechanischer Eigenschaften und Signale in der Entwicklung, Physiologie und Pathologie des zentralen Nervensystems Paul Steinmann Lehrstuhl für Technische Mechanik (LTM) Vasily Zaburdaev Lehrstuhl für Mathematik in den Lebenswissenschaften Daniel Wehner
Silvia Budday Lehrstuhl für Technische Mechanik (LTM)
Rahul Gopalan Ramachandran Sonderforschungsbereich 1540/1 - Erforschung der Mechanik des Gehirns (EBM): Verständnis, Engineering und Nutzung mechanischer Eigenschaften und Signale in der Entwicklung, Physiologie und Pathologie des zentralen Nervensystems Paul Steinmann Lehrstuhl für Technische Mechanik (LTM) Vasily Zaburdaev Lehrstuhl für Mathematik in den Lebenswissenschaften Daniel Wehner
Silvia Budday Lehrstuhl für Technische Mechanik (LTM)
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Neumann, O., Kravikass, M., John, N., Gopalan Ramachandran, R., Steinmann, P., Zaburdaev, V.,... Budday, S. (2026). In silico model of axonal pathfinding during spinal cord regeneration in zebrafish larvae. (Unpublished, Submitted).
MLA:
Neumann, Oskar, et al. In silico model of axonal pathfinding during spinal cord regeneration in zebrafish larvae. Unpublished, Submitted. 2026.
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