Our laboratory investigates how stem cells act to adapt and repair the adult brain. Using endogenous neural stem cells as a model system, our approach incorporates principles from neuroscience, stem cell biology, single cell molecular biology, cellular biology and genomics, computational biology, systems biology and engineering to unravel brain plasticity. We focus on the reciprocal interaction between neural stem cells and their surroundings during normal, aging, injured and diseased states. Our long-term goal evaluates the capacity of endogenous stem cells to serve as a cellular mediator of neural function and as a therapeutic source of cognitive rejuvenation.