Biography

I completed my undergraduate degree in Pharmacology at Newcastle University, before enrolling on the Masters of Research in Neuroscience degree program. During my study I developed a key interest in neurological diseases. My PhD project focuses on the cellular mechanisms underlying Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and related neurological conditions.

Research Project 

Definition of disease mechanisms in peripheral neuropathies using cell culture models.

Principal Investigators: Professor Rita Horvath and Dr Andreas Roos

Project details

My project utilises donated skin fibroblast cells and induced neuronal progenitor cell (iNPC) models to investigate mechanisms of disease in inherited peripheral neuropathies. iNPCs make a powerful in vitro model, allowing tissue-specific investigation of cellular pathology with complete genetic modelling of the patient. My studies investigate how mutations in genes ensuring normal protein synthesis and processing relate to mitochondrial dysfunction, and how this dysfunction may cause human disease. This work will aim to establish a basis for alleviating the cellular dysfunction.

Contact: [email protected]

Sponsor/funder: Medical Research Council