Dr Jeff Barclay Ph.D

Research Overview

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