Neurobiology, Toxicology and Pharmacology

Staff within this group carry out research in a wide variety of areas that encompass studies on human disorders. These include neurodegeneration (e.g. Parkinson's Disease), pre-eclampsia, the cytoskeleton and the mechanisms of toxicity-induced changes, G-protein coupled receptor-mediated cell signalling and its importance to cardioprotection, changes in synaptic structure that occur during the processes of learning and memory, mechanisms of cognition and environmental toxicology.

Among the techniques used are bioinformatics, calcium signalling, cell culture, cell signalling assays (e.g. cyclic AMP and inositol trisphosphate), molecular biology, and proteomics. We have state-of-the-art facilities for protein analysis (two-dimensional gels, robotic spot-pickers, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry), calcium measurements (a monochromator-based fluorescence system), and receptor autoradiography/in situ hybridisation (a Micro Imager that can image radiolabelled tissues in real time). Work within these areas is/has been funded by The British Heart Foundation, DEFRA, The Royal Society, and the Wellcome Trust.