Research
My primary research interest is to understand how specific human disease mutations impact the function of the nervous system. A full understanding of the underpinning cellular/molecular pathophysiology of neurological disease is of paramount importance in order to identify and understand improved treatment. In particular, we are currently interested in a number of key neurological disorders including alcohol dependency and alcoholism, neurodegeneration and early onset epileptic encephalopathies. In order to answer these questions experimentally, my lab utilises a multidisciplinary approach using all aspects of advanced genetics, cellular and molecular and biochemical approaches, quantifying effects on whole nervous system function using the genetic model organism Caenorhabditis elegans.
Current projects in the lab are focussed on:
1. Exploring how mutations in the neuronal protein WDR81 bypasses the explicit function of Stxbp1 in exocytosis
2. Role of small heat shock proteins in addiction, neurodegeneration and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
3. Identifying mechanisms and potential drug treatments in genetic epilepsies
Work in this lab is currently supported by the MRC
Research grants
Functional and genomic analyses of novel epilepsy mutations
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
March 2017 - April 2020
Wellcome Trust Four-year PhD Studentship 2016
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 2016 - April 2021
Wellcome trust four-year PhD studentship with the cellular and molecular physiology PhD programme
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
October 2012 - September 2016
The role of UNC-18 in presynaptic mechanisms of plasticity in Caenorhabditis elegans.
ROYAL SOCIETY (CHARITABLE)
March 2007 - February 2008
Liverpool 3View: a national hub for 3D-EM bioscience research
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2014 - December 2014
A genetic approach to the study of the neuroprotective role of cysteine string protein during normal ageing
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
April 2012 - September 2015
Role of Heat Shock Proteins in determining phenotypic responses to ethanol.
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
November 2009 - July 2013