Erna Van Niekerk | Spinal Cord Injury | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Dr. Erna Van Niekerk | Spinal Cord Injury | Best Researcher Award

University of California San Diego | United States

Dr. Erna A. Van Niekerk’s research focuses on advancing central nervous system (CNS) repair through the integration of molecular neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and translational neurobiology. Her work emphasizes uncovering molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive neural regeneration and developing innovative therapeutic strategies to promote recovery after CNS injury. With a strong background in physiology and neuroscience, she has contributed to understanding neuroplasticity, neural signaling pathways, and the molecular determinants of axonal growth and synaptic repair. Dr. Van Niekerk’s recent research explores computational and AI-based models to analyze large-scale neurobiological datasets, aiming to predict regenerative outcomes and optimize therapeutic targets. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges fundamental neuroscience with clinical applications, particularly in the development of bioengineered and data-driven interventions for neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries. Through her academic and industry experience, she has contributed to translational research efforts aimed at improving functional outcomes following neural damage and enhancing the precision of therapeutic design in neuroregeneration.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus

Featured Publications:

Zahavi, E. E., Koppel, I., Kawaguchi, R., Oses-Prieto, J. A., Briner, A., Monavarfeshani, A., Dalla Costa, I., van Niekerk, E., Lee, J., Matoo, S., Hegarty, S., Donahue, R. J., Sahoo, P. K., Ben-Dor, S., Feldmesser, E., Ryvkin, J., Leshkowitz, D., Ben-Tov Perry, R., Cheng, Y., … Fainzilber, M. (2025). Repeat-element RNAs integrate a neuronal growth circuit. Cell. Advance online publication.

van Niekerk, E., Kawaguchi, R., Marques de Freria, C., Groeniger, K., Marchetto, M. C., Dupraz, S., Bradke, F., Geschwind, D. H., Gage, F. H., & Tuszynski, M. H. (2022). Methods for culturing adult CNS neurons reveal a CNS conditioning effect. Cell Reports Methods, 2, 100255. 5

de Freria, C. M., van Niekerk, E., Blesch, A., & Lu, P. (2022). Neural stem cells: Promoting axonal regeneration and spinal cord connectivity. Cells, 10(12), 3296.

Poplawski, G. H. D., Kawaguchi, R., van Niekerk, E., Lu, P., Mehta, N., Canete, P., Lie, R., Dragatsis, I., Meves, J. M., Zheng, B., Coppola, G., & Tuszynski, M. H. (2020). Injured adult neurons regress to an embryonic transcriptional growth state. Nature, 581(7806), 77–82.

Wang, W., van Niekerk, E. A., Zhang, Y., Du, L., Ji, X., Wang, S., & Baker, D. E. (2007). Extracellular stimuli specifically regulate localized levels of individual neuronal mRNAs. The Journal of Cell Biology, 178(6), 965–980.

van Niekerk, E. A., Willis, D. E., Chang, J. H., Reumann, K., Heise, T., & Twiss, J. L. (2007). Sumoylation in axons triggers retrograde transport of the RNA-binding protein La. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 104(31), 12913–12918. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0705488104

Wang, W., van Niekerk, E., Willis, D. E., & Twiss, J. L. (2007). RNA transport and localized protein synthesis in neurological disorders and neural repair. Developmental Neurobiology, 67(9), 1166–1182.

van Niekerk, E. A., Tuszynski, M. H., Lu, P., & Dulin, J. N. (2016). Molecular and cellular mechanisms of axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, 15(2), 394–408.

Weiping Qin | Spinal Cord Injury | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Prof. Dr. Weiping Qin | Spinal Cord Injury | Best Researcher Award

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/James J. Peters VAMC | United States

Dr. Weiping Qin’s research focuses on developing innovative therapeutic strategies to prevent and reverse skeletal and neurological impairments associated with spinal cord injury (SCI). His laboratory investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying bone loss, muscle atrophy, and neurodegeneration following SCI, with the goal of identifying novel molecular targets for treatment. Dr. Qin’s work integrates approaches from molecular biology, neuroscience, and regenerative medicine to elucidate how injury-induced changes in signaling pathways, inflammation, and oxidative stress contribute to tissue degeneration. He also explores pharmacological and biological interventions that may enhance neural repair, bone regeneration, and functional recovery. Through translational studies, his team aims to bridge fundamental discoveries with clinical applications, advancing potential therapies to improve quality of life and outcomes for patients with SCI. His research has been recognized for its contributions to understanding neurodegenerative and skeletal pathology, and for identifying key therapeutic avenues to promote tissue protection and regeneration.

Profiles:  Google Scholar | Scopus

Featured Publications:

Qin, W., Ho, L., Pompl, P. N., Xiang, Z., Wang, J., Zhao, Z., Peng, Y., Cambareri, G., & others. (2004). Diet-induced insulin resistance promotes amyloidosis in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. The FASEB Journal, 18(7), 902–904.

Qin, W., Yang, T., Ho, L., Zhao, Z., Wang, J., Chen, L., Zhao, W., Thiyagarajan, M., & others. (2006). Neuronal SIRT1 activation as a novel mechanism underlying the prevention of Alzheimer disease amyloid neuropathology by calorie restriction. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 281(31), 21745–21754.

Qin, W., Haroutunian, V., Katsel, P., Cardozo, C. P., Ho, L., Buxbaum, J. D., & others. (2009). PGC-1α expression decreases in the Alzheimer disease brain as a function of dementia. Archives of Neurology, 66(3), 352–361.

Wang, J., Ho, L., Qin, W., Rocher, A. B., Seror, I., Humala, N., Maniar, K., Dolios, G., & others. (2005). Caloric restriction attenuates β-amyloid neuropathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. The FASEB Journal, 19(6), 1–18.

Yamashita, T., Kaneko, S., Shirota, Y., Qin, W., Nomura, T., Kobayashi, K., & others. (1998). RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity of the soluble recombinant hepatitis C virus NS5B protein truncated at the C-terminal region. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 273(25), 15479–15486.

Shirota, Y., Luo, H., Qin, W., Kaneko, S., Yamashita, T., Kobayashi, K., & others. (2002). Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A binds RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) NS5B and modulates RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 277(13), 11149–11155.