About

We aim to understand how the brain works in health and disease, from the molecular to the systems levels. This research is an important part of the strategic commitment to neurosciences, and is part of university-wide interdisciplinary initiatives.  

Research themes that we are investigating include: 

  • neurodegeneration 
  • neuroinflammation 
  • synaptic function 
  • multiple sclerosis 
  • addiction 

Our researchers have a special focus on understanding Alzheimer’s disease and coordinating with the South Coast Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) Network. The network enables collaboration with regional experts in dementia research. 

A digital illustration of a human brain made up of small glowing dots in blue, green and yellow on a dark background.

Pioneering Alzheimer’s drug development

Advancing the development of targeted treatments to slow or halt disease progression.

People, projects, publications and PhDs

People

Dr Mariana Vargas-Caballero

Associate Professor

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Dr Melissa Andrews

Associate Professor

Research interests

  • spinal cord injury
  • gene therapy
  • axonal regeneration

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Dr Miguel Ramirez Moreno

Research Fellow in Neuroscience
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Dr Richard Meek

Lecturer

Research interests

  • Eukaryotic Glycobiology
  • Carbohydrate-active Enzymes
  • Post-translational Modifications

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Dr Shmma Quraishe

Principal Teaching Fellow
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Professor Vincent O'Connor

Professor of Neurochemistry

Research interests

  • Molecular mechanism of synaptic function and dysfunction
  • Synaptic degeneration
  • Genetic models of synaptic and neuronal dysfunction

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Diego Gomez-Nicola
Professor
Understanding how our brain works and reacts to disease is the most exciting and challenging task of biomedical science.