Research Activity

Members of this research group contribute to the cross-faculty research theme on Ageing, End of Life and Cancer and to the Centre for Ageing Research.

Fundamentals of ageing

This work involves understanding the fundamental processes underlying lifespan and healthy ageing. This includes using model organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans to study the role of the insulin/IGF-like signalling pathway and diet in modulating lifespan, behavioural and molecular biomarkers of ageing and the effect of ageing on gut host-microbiome interactions.

Neurodevelopment and related disorders

This work aims to understand the cellular and genetic factors that contribute to brain development and the susceptibility to psychiatric and neurodevelopmental diseases such as autism and schizophrenia. This includes understanding how the prenatal and early life environment affect key aspects of brain maturation and ageing.

Age-related diseases

This work includes investigations into the aetiology and treatment of age-related conditions including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), eye disease and osteoarthritis. This includes research into the role played by a group of enzymes called 'ADAMs' in the cleavage of AD-related proteins, understanding cerebrovascular alterations in AD, the development and refinement of stem cell therapies for eye disease and investigating how glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.

For more specific information about research carried out by each member of the Ageing and Neuroscience group, please click on the individual profiles below.