Research

  • Cancer: we are currently researching the biological mechanisms associated with cancer (most notably breast cancer), establishing pathways that can be manipulated to prevent this illness. We are a partner with the CRC carrying out activities including High-Throughput Screening (HTS) against CRC targets, bioactive molecule evaluation, lead optimisation and structural chemistry.
  • Adult stem cell biology: we are using stem cell biology to develop new insights into neurological disorders including Parkinson’s Disease and schizophrenia aiming to developing new treatment and prevention strategies. Phase I clinical trial in conjunction with our clinical collaborators has involved using transplantation of the patient’s own cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury is nearing completion.
  • Neurological diseases: research combines clinical and population-based research with laboratory-based cellular and molecular techniques exploring causes of neurological diseases. The research has several focus areas, including the epidemiology of Parkinson's disease, the genetics of Parkinsonism and related disorders, interactions between genetic/environmental factors and the genetic epidemiology of complex traits. Another focus area is clinical trials of novel treatments for Parkinson's disease and related disorders.
  • Infection and immunity: we are currently studying the mechanisms of the body’s innate immune system, applying this knowledge to boost the body’s existing immune response combating infection and disease. Focussing on the area of cellular differentiation in cells of the innate immune system including mammalian genetics and functional genomics.
  • Neglected diseases: The “Nature Bank” built up over 14 years is a unique resource in drug discovery. It is being used in the search for new drugs to combat neglected diseases such as malaria and sleeping sickness. This research will ultimately benefit the world’s poorest people.
Laboratory

Research programs:

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