Despite the axolotl’s exceptional ability to regenerate complex tissues, little research has focused on this phenomenon in the brain. We aim to understand whether a morphological repair observed during axolotl brain regeneration is accompanied by a functional restoration of neuronal circuits. To do so, we are establishing state-of-the-art neuroscience tools in our model system, namely GCaMP imaging of neuronal activity, behavioral assays and optogenetic stimulation. Using these methods, we will investigate the visuomotor circuit of the axolotl in intact, injured and regenerating conditions.Recent advancements in this project include setting up an assay for visually guided behaviors and gaining first insight into preferred prey characteristics of juvenile axolotl, the introduction of a genetically encoded calcium indicator (GCaMP8s) to visualize neuronal activity utilizing 2-photon microscopy, as well as preliminary testing of excitatory opsins in an in vitro culture setting.In a next step, we will perturb the visuomotor circuit by injuring the axolotl’s main visual processing center, the optic tectum. For this, injury methods to precisely remove the optic tectum have been tested and the regenerative capacity of this specific tissue has been assessed. Data from the above-mentioned functional experiments in intact, injured and regenerated animals will be compared to understand how the neuronal circuitry is affected during this process. Additionally, staining and tracing methods will visualize morphological changes in the tissue during regeneration to understand if they correlate with functional changes.