Christian Oliver Pritz is a seasoned researcher specializing in molecular biology and neuroscience, with a focus on the neurogenetics of development, diseases, and behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans. He completed his doctorate in molecular biology at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, and holds a Master’s in botany and molecular plant physiology and a Bachelor’s in cell physiology from the University of Salzburg. Currently, Dr. Pritz is a tenure track researcher at the Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Turin, Italy, in the di Cunto lab. Previously, he conducted his work at the Zaslaver lab, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he was the first to reconstruct memories from neuronal activity imaging in C. elegans. His contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the David-Herzog-Fellowship and the Fritz Grasenick Award.
Research focus
Our research focuses on the neurogenetics of development, disease, and adaptive behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans. We aim to understand how genetic and neural circuits contribute to adaptive responses in neuro developmental disorders as well as varying conditions, such as exposure to radiation and low gravity.
By studying C. elegans, we explore how the nervous system processes and responds to stressors, leading to changes in behavior and development. We focus on identifying the neural pathways and genetic mechanisms that enable organisms to adapt over multiple generations, highlighting how these adaptations affect brain function and behavior.
This approach will reveal the fundamental principles of neural plasticity and resilience that organize long-term adaptation. The underlying mechanisms can, in turn, be used to combat neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases and to formulate strategies for enhancing resilience in changing environments.
