Stem Cell Neurobiology includes scientists and clinician scientists whose primary research interest is in the fundamental and translational biology of the stem and progenitor cells of the nervous system in health and disease.

A common interest amongst the PIs is the stem and progenitor cells in the developing and adult CNS that give rise to glial cells – astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. This is especially relevant to the disease multiple sclerosis, where adult CNS stem and progenitor cells are capable of generating replacement oligodendrocytes in a spontaneous regenerative process called remyelination. This process declines with disease progression: so, in addition to understanding the fundamental biology of adult stem and progenitor cells and their role in regeneration, this work is also being used as the foundation for developing new regenerative medicine in chronic demyelinating disease. PIs are also exploring how neural stem cell therapies can control inflammatory CNS disease, and how the reprogramming techniques can be used to better understand the pathogenic mechanisms of CNS disease.

Work undertaken in this area is often conducted in collaboration with researchers in the Wellcome-MRC Stem Cell Institute. If you would like to know more about this work please click here.