Molecular mechanisms of dementia
Neuron-microglia interactions in Dementia
Zameel Cader is the lead for MRC Dementia Research Institute Momentum Award, investigating neuron – microglia interactions using iPSC cell lines and human brain tissue. This programme is developing a research toolkit to monitor microglia activation states; investigating the epigenetics of microglia in dementia and developing new methods to assay microglia-neuron cellular phenotypes.
Researchers: Elena Burlacu
Vascular Dementia
As part of new initiative by the Stroke Association, British Heart Foundation and Alzheimer’s Society to Advancing Care and Treatment of Vascular Dementia, our group is part of a multi-disciplinary team to establish and investigate better models of cerebrovascular disease and dementia. We will specifically be looking at the molecular effects of gene mutations known to cause progressive cerebrovascular disease using iPSC models of the neurovascular unit and animal models.
Researchers: To be recruited
The role of mTOR in Alzheimer’s Disease
The mTOR pathway is a central signalling pathway in most cells and regulates diverse cellular processes from cell cycle, to autophagy to protein translation. There is already good evidence for the role of mTOR in ageing and in dementia but the specific mechanisms are poorly understood. Our group is investigating key components of the mTOR pathway using CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering in collaboration with Roche. We are also using ex vivo rat hippocampal preparations, human cortical neuron models and brain histopathology to dissect caudal processes.
Researchers: Bryan Adriaanse and Emma Mee Hayes