Age-Related Diseases (Wolfson Centre for)

Over the last two decades, there have been tremendous advances in our understanding of the molecules and principles that govern the functioning of the nervous system. Great progress has been made to understand the molecular basis of disease states and pain, and the molecular mechanisms that limit regeneration. These advances enable innovative neuroscience and the opportunity to translate new knowledge into clinical benefits.

Our mission is to:

• Further understand the causes of neuropathic disease, identify new drug targets, develop treatments and monitor outcomes;
• Study synaptic receptors and neuronal signalling mechanisms to promote symptomatic relief from the pain and dysfunction associated with a damaged nervous system;
• Develop and test strategies aimed at restoring function to the damaged nervous system by promoting cell survival and forming new synaptic connections or neurons.

Much of our thinking is driven by the emerging hypothesis that the brain does indeed have an intrinsic ability to limit damage associated with brain injury ultimately go beyond symptomatic relief. Within the division our aim is to advance knowledge in our subject matter through collaborative multidisciplinary studies that use core resources including bioinformatics and expression profiling of proteins.

Our expertise ranges from genetic, biochemical and bioinformatic approaches for novel gene discovery, molecular modelling of protein-protein interactions, cell biology to whole animal approaches to study neuronal survival and regeneration and observational studies at the level of the whole animal. In addition, we have experience in running clinical trials in stroke and dementia. We will focus our activities around three major themes, but emphasise that the interests of most PIs cut across the themes.and disease and to repair itself by regenerative and compensatory mechanisms.