Molecular Genetics and Gene Therapy of Neuromuscular, Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases 

We are involved in studying the molecular biology and molecular pathology of the nervous, cardiovascular, and skeleto-muscular systems.  The programme involves development of gene therapeutics (lentiviral, adenoviral, adeno-associated virus, non-viral lipoplex vectors, oligonucleotide-based pharmaceuticals), use of transgenic animals and the understanding of signalling pathways in relation to the pathophysiology and treatment of the muscular dystrophies, atherosclerosis and hyperlipidaemia, and neurodegenerative disease.  The work is supported by the European Union, Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, British Heart Foundation, Wyeth Discovery, Gates Foundation, Glaxo-SmithKline, Association Francais contre les Myopathies, Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Immuno-staining showing "md-like" costameric localisation of the dystrophin-associated trans-membrane complex

A recombinant microdystrophin (red) is double stained for intracellular Ig (green), which identifies muscle fibers damaged by dystrophin deficiency.

Members of the research group

Postdoctoral Researchers and Visitors:

Dr Keith Foster

Dr Helen Foster

Dr Linda Popplewell

Dr Takis Athanasopoulos

Dr Alberto Malerba

Dr Anita Le Heron

Dr Susan Jarmin

Dr Taeyoung Koo

Graduate Researchers and Students:

Miss Hanna Kymalainen

Miss Jagjeet Kang