The main focus of the laboratory is to better understand the molecular, cellular and physiological changes occurring after neurotrauma, in particular after spinal cord injury (SCI). Indeed, SCI is a major cause of paralysis, following close behind stroke. But besides the direct locomotor impairments, SCI also leads to numerous health complications, including metabolic syndrome, bowel, cardiovascular, and cognitive problems, and high risks of infections. These health complications not only threaten patients' lives but also impact their quality of life. Therefore, one major aim in the lab is to better understand the physiopathology of the SCI and health complications occurring after chronic SCI (in rodent models of SCI). Using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we aim to find targets that can reduce the incidence of these health issues as well as reverse them in more chronic models.

The second goal of the lab is to understand how age impacts SCI. Indeed, SCI increasingly afflicts the middle-aged population, as a result of both later average incidence (from ~29 in the 1970s to ~43 today) and ageing of SCI-paralysed patients (~80% of people living with SCI are over 40 years old). We demonstrated that axon regeneration is impaired after injury in older animals. This decline in axon growth can be controlled by both neuronal intrinsic and extrinsic factors. By better understanding the players involved in this age-dependent growth decline, we aim to find targets to promote axon growth after SCI and ultimately promote locomotor function recovery independently of age.

Please see my Research Staff Profile for more details.

Find out more about my research 

Geoffroy Lab

Key publications

• Geoffroy et al., 2025. Leveraging microbiota-metabolites to reduce inflammation and promote functional recovery following spinal cord injury in female mice.  Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health.
• Geoffroy et al., 2022. Targeting PTEN but not SOCS3 resists an age-dependent decline in promoting axon sprouting. iScience.
• Geoffroy et al., 2022. Novel adult cortical neuron processing and screening method illustrates sex-and age-dependent effects of pharmaceutical compounds. Scientific Reports.
• Geoffroy et al., 2016. Evidence for an age-dependent decline in axon regeneration in the adult mammalian central nervous system. Cell reports. 
• Geoffroy et al., 2015. Effects of PTEN and Nogo codeletion on corticospinal axon sprouting and regeneration in mice. Journal of Neuroscience.

Key collaborators

• Prof. Michelle Hook, Texas A&M University
• Prof. Jean-Philippe Pellois, Texas A&M University
• Prof. Ronaldo Ichiyama, University of Leeds
• Dr. Arthur Sefiani, NeuroCreis