RESEARCH

My laboratory develops and uses human neural organoid and other stem cell-based models to explore mechanisms underlying glia-neuron-synapse interactions in development, traumatic injury and neurodegenerative disorders.

We investigate how genetic mutations and other risk factors contribute to initial protein homeostasis, signalling and transcriptional disturbances at single cell resolution. In particular, we focus on pathways underpinning the early and specific involvement of diverse astrocyte populations in pathology and its consequences on neuronal network function in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). The combined use of our unique human biological platforms and computational approaches help reveal more precise drug targets for preventive strategies.

In addition, we run collaborative projects with groups in the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), Wellcome Trust-MRC Stem Cell Institute, Sanger Institute, Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Department of Physiology-Development-Neuroscience (PDN) at Cambridge.

FUNDING AND AFFILIATION