Hynek Wichterle is an associate professor of pathology and cell biology, of neuroscience, and of rehabilitation and regenerative medicine at Columbia University. Wichterle’s laboratory develops methods for the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into a variety of motor neuron subtypes in order to understand nervous system development.

His group also harnesses the power of CRISPR-based genome editing systems to elucidate transcriptional programs controlling these neuronal differentiation processes. Wichterle also aims to understand the molecular processes underlying neuronal maturation, synapse formation, neuronal aging and degeneration in spinal motor neurons.