Schwann cells are the main glial cells of the peripheral nervous system. Properties of these cells make them a powerful model system for studying two fundamental biological processes: (1) Cell growth (2) Cell regeneration. Using a combination of primary in vitro culture systems and in vivo mouse models we aim to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the homeostatic regulation of these processes and how they become deregulated in diseases such as cancer. These studies should identify novel pathways important in these processes and new targets for regenerative medicine and cancer therapeutics.