Focus areas

• Advanced Cell & Tissue Models
• Physiological Systems & Neuroscience
• Molecular & Genetic Pathways

This theme encompasses:

• most cellular and subcellular biology across the evolutionary scale, including all aspects of gene function, protein structure, cytoskeletal and membrane systems, and cell transport and motility. Also includes development and application of complex cell/tissue-based models for advanced mechanistic research.
• whole animal systems as research models, looking at development, physiology and function. It also includes ethical considerations and procedural aspects.
• all aspects of learning and behaviour and sensory biology, from neurobiology function through to higher brain decision making.
• molecular regulation of complex cell autonomous and non-cell autonomous signalling pathways, including transcriptional responses and epigenetic control.

Research Theme Champions

Dr Lucy Crompton (University of the West of England; UWE)

Dr Lucy Crompton

Lucy's research is focused on understanding the role of neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease. In particular, the role of astrocyte cells and how these are implicate in neuronal health and degeneration. Their lab use hiPSC-derived in vitro models to study the cellular mechanisms underlying these conditions.

Lucy is a Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience in the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences.

Dr David Gurevich (University of Bath)

Dr David Gurevich

David's main research interest is unravelling how cells interact with each other during tissue repair, with a particularly focus on how immune cells control blood vessels in revascularisation of damaged tissues.  Beyond this primary area of interest, David also studies thrombosis and consequent ischaemic disease, a specific defect that causes impaired healing and commonly occurs in the context of disease such as atherosclerosis and diabetes

David is a Sir Henry Dale University Research Fellow and Proleptic lecturer in the Department of Life Sciences.

• Translational research workshop - for students to explore how their research can be translated into tackling biomedical questions
• Microbrewery visit - to look at industrial fermentation and to generate ideas for tackling grand challenges that industry may face