Neurobiology, Toxicology and Pharmacology

Memory formation; brain development and organisation; cellular models of toxicity, cell signalling and cardioprotection.

This group studies a range of human disorders, including neurodegenerative conditions that involve both mitochondrial and proteasomal dysfunction (e.g. Parkinson's Disease, using a range of models) and pre-eclampsia. Our researchers study mechanisms of toxicity-induced changes, notably organophosphates and mitochondrial toxins in neuronal cells, forensic toxicology and G-protein coupled receptor-mediated cell signalling and its importance to cardioprotection. The group also researches brain development, changes in synaptic structure that occur during the processes of learning and memory, topographical brain connections and mechanisms of cognition.

Our research involves mathematical modelling, molecular biology, proteomics, classical chemistry/biochemistry and pharmacology, supported by advanced facilities.

• Professor Ellen Billett – monoamine oxidase (MAO), neurodegeneration, Parkinson’s Disease, proteomics, brain development, mitochondrial toxins
• Dr John Dickenson – cardioprotection, ischaemia-reperfusion, ischaemic pre-conditioning, G-coupled receptors
• Dr Luigi De Girolamo – mitochondrial toxins, neurotoxicity, proteomics, xenobiotics, trophoblast cell function
• Dr Alan Hargreaves – transglutaminases, proteomics, neurotoxins, organophosphates, neural cell lines
• Dr Richard Hulse
• Dr Nitin Seetohul - forensic toxicology
• Dr Christian Thode – learning and memory
• Dr Chris Tinsley – memory, perirhinal cortex, prefrontal cortex, brain topography, mathematical modelling
• Al-Ahmady Zahraa