Neuroimmunology tile_ An oligodendrocyte, axons and an activated microglial cell in a demyelinating brain

There is now compelling evidence that neuro-immune mechanisms play a fundamental role in psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Depending on chronicity and context, this can be restorative or pathogenic.  

This group is focused on understanding the role of immune responses in diseases ranging from classical neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis through to the relationship between the brain’s response to immune-mediated inflammation resulting in phenotypes such as depression, pain, fatigue and cognitive impairment.

 

Prof Sue Barnett | Professor of Cellular Neuroscience

Our research focus is the immunological effect on/induced in the nervous system during diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, and after spinal cord injury. Specifically, we have studied how the immune response changes and affects outcome in these pathologies.

 

 ‌‌A head and shoulders profile shot of Professor Sue Barnett in the lab

Prof Neil Basu | Musculoskeletal Medicine & Vasculitis

I deliver multi-disciplinary clinical research studies which aim to better understand the commanding symptoms of chronic pain and fatigue in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.  Specifically I am interested in evaluating the roles of neurobiological and inflammatory factors.

 

 ‌‌A head and shoulders shot of Professor Neil Basu

Prof Jonathan Cavanagh | Professor of Psychiatry (Immunology)

 ‌‌A head and shoulders shot of Professor Jonathan Cavanagh against a blue background

Prof Julia Edgar | Professor of Neurobiology

The Axo-glia Research group studies the functions of the cells that form ‘myelinated axons’, the nervous system’s ‘wires’. Axons are injured in multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, Alzheimer’s, motor neurone disease and several other neurodegenerative conditions. We aim to understand why axons are so susceptible and how we might protect them.

 ‌‌A head and shoulders shot of Professor Julia Edgar

Prof Carl Goodyear | Professor of Translational Immunology

 A head and shoulders shot of Professor Carl Goodyear

Dr Thomas Otto | Senior Lecturer in Immunology

I am computer scientist with the interest to apply omics methods to biological problems and build computational tools to integrate and analyse the data.

 ‌‌A head and shoulders shot of Dr Thomas Otto

Prof Stefan Siebert | Inflammation Medicine & Rheumatology

I collaborate with colleagues to understand the central effects of chronic inflammation in patients with inflammatory arthritis, particularly in relation to the pain and fatigue that characterise these conditions.

 ‌‌A head and shoulders shot of Stefan Siebert

Prof Hugh Willison | Senior Research Fellow (Immunology)

I conduct basic and translation research on inflammatory neuropathy with a specific focus on the role of anti-glycolipid antibodies as both clinical biomarkers and pathogenic mediators of disease.

 ‌‌A head and shoulders profile shot of Professor Hugh Willison