Neurobiology & Neurodegeneration integrates expertise in cell biology, structural biology, signalling and the use of model organisms to investigate neuronal development, ageing, neurodegeneration and addiction. Research is undertaken within the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology.

Overview

A leading international centre for research into the fundamental principles of human physiology. We have recognised expertise in all aspects of modern physiology ranging from the regulation of gene expression to cell, tissue and whole organism biology.

Our experimental approaches involve biochemical, behavioural, electrophysiological, molecular, structural and imaging techniques applied to mammalian cell systems and also to model organisms such as Caenorhabdities elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. We complement these studies with work at the level of the individual protein and also by studying conserved mechanisms in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Together these research programs provide an exciting and dynamic research environment which benefits from increasing collaboration with The Liverpool Neuroscience group, including clinicians working in neurology.

Our research interests

Neuronal cell and synaptic biology

Mechanisms underlying the exocytotic release of neurotransmitters

Formation of neuronal cytoskeleton and neuronal networks during development

Structural basis for target protein recognition by neuronal calcium-binding proteins, including how neuronal calcium signals are translated into physiological responses by calcium sensor proteins

Role of heat-shock and other neuronal chaperone proteins in protection from damaging challenge (e.g. alcohol or nicotine exposure) and from neurodegeneration (such as Alzheimer’s disease).