Prof. Boaz Barak leads the Lab for Myelination and Brain Development at Tel Aviv University, focusing on the development of innovative therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders. His research bridges fundamental neuroscience with translational applications in CNS drug discovery, regenerative medicine, and advanced neurotechnologies.

The lab specializes in understanding how defects in oligodendrocytes and myelin contribute to disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Williams syndrome, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. By integrating molecular neuroscience, stem-cell biology, and advanced imaging technologies, the lab develops clinically relevant platforms for therapeutic intervention and biomarker discovery.

Core translational research areas

• Myelin Biology and CNS Repair
  Identification of molecular pathways regulating myelination, remyelination, and neuron-glia communication, with direct applications for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
• Human iPSC-Based Disease Modeling
  Development of patient-derived iPSC “brain-in-a-dish” platforms for modeling disease mechanisms, drug screening, and precision medicine approaches.
• Therapeutic Development and Drug Repurposing
  Discovery and validation of pharmacological strategies that enhance myelin repair and restore neural function in neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Advanced CNS Drug Delivery
  Development of nanoparticle- and RNA-based delivery systems designed to cross the blood-brain barrier and target glial cells and neural circuits.
• Neuroimaging and Biomarker Discovery
  Integration of advanced MRI methodologies and molecular biomarkers for early diagnosis, disease monitoring, and therapeutic response assessment.

Commercial and clinical potential

The lab’s technologies and discoveries have potential applications across multiple sectors:

• CNS therapeutics and rare neurological diseases
• RNA therapeutics and nanomedicine
• Stem-cell and regenerative medicine platforms
• AI-assisted neuroimaging and diagnostics
• Precision medicine for neurodevelopmental disorders

Industry Collaboration Opportunities

The lab actively seeks collaborations with:

• Pharmaceutical companies developing CNS therapeutics
• Biotechnology companies focused on RNA, nanotechnology, and cell engineering
• Medical imaging and MedTech companies
• Industry partners interested in translational neuroscience and brain repair technologies

Contact

Prof. Boaz Barak
The Lab for Myelination and Brain Development
Tel Aviv University
Email: boazba@tauex.tau.ac.il
Lab Website: Barak Lab