Research
Generation and repair of neural circuits
Appointments
- Assistant Professor, Brain Research Institute
- Member, Neuroscience GPB Home Area
- Adjunct Assistant Professor, Neurobiology
Appointments
Dr. Butler is focused on determining how neurons translate morphogens, such as the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) family of growth factors, over time to mediate strikingly different processes in the generation of neural circuits. During the course of these studies, she identified a critical mechanism by which the rate of axon outgrowth is controlled during development.
The Butler laboratory is now examining how this process can be harnessed to accelerate axon growth in a regenerative context to stimulate the repair of neural circuits. The successful implementation of this technology could result in significantly improved recovery times for patients with damaged nervous systems.
Publications
- Butler, SJ, Digby, GC, Roy, C, Tse, SM, Sajwani, S, Hubick, J et al.. Canadian healthcare professionals' attitudes towards climate change and the environmental impact of inhalers. J Clim Chang Health. 2026;32 :100761. doi: 10.1016/j.joclim.2026.100761. PubMed PMID:42965155 PubMed Central PMC13721926.
- Kouri, A, Garzouzi, Z, Chudyk, AM, Singer, A, Butler, SJ, Ross, BA et al.. User-Centered Design of an Electronic COPD Patient Questionnaire for Clinical Decision Support. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2026;21 :629800. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S629800. PubMed PMID:42733852 PubMed Central PMC13571641.
- Webb, J, Tiffany, R, Norvaisa, K, Valkenier, H, Miebach, L, Bekeschus, S et al.. Cellular Membrane-Targeted Europium(III) Probe for Selective and Time-Resolved Detection of Peroxynitrite. Chemistry. 2026;32 (40):. doi: 10.1002/chem.71463. PubMed PMID:42509190 PubMed Central PMC13716002.
- Ashton, CJ, Martinelli, J, Camorali, S, Berki, TR, Managh, AJ, Sofroniou, C et al.. A Modular Core-Shell Nanoparticle Platform for Dual-Modal MRI-Luminescence With High Relaxivity. Small. 2026;22 (48):e74389. doi: 10.1002/smll.74389. PubMed PMID:42397168 PubMed Central PMC13509071.
- Rehman, U, Mewes, JM, Butler, SJ, Plasser, F. Determination of structures and binding energies of europium(III) complexes bound to biologically relevant anions. Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2026;28 (25):15087-15100. doi: 10.1039/d6cp00457a. PubMed PMID:42299975 .