Similar to diseases of the immune system, the frequency of neurodegenerative diseases is expected to increase in western societies due in part to imiproved therapies for other morbidities, but also due to an aging population. The team working on neurobiology takes an interest on the important aspects of neuronal cell fate, axon guidance, retinal development and myelination, and the investigation of the basic principles of central and peripheral nervous systems development will become a major focus at the IRCM.

However, only a thorough understanding of developmental processes in general and in the nervous system in particular will provide a basis for more insight in causes and mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and possibly other degenerative processes.