Genetics and biological pathways

Building on our strengths in genetics, immunology, cell biology, lipidomics and bioinformatics to deliver cutting edge research that has an impact on patient well-being.

New genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and modifiers of Huntington’s disease have been discovered in recent years, many by researchers at Cardiff University. These genes are helping us understand how dementias develop in the brain.

How we work

Our researchers apply a systems biology approach to understanding the biological basis of these genetic associations and implicated pathways by studying both living patients and laboratory models.

By looking at dementias in this way, we can explore ways of better predicting risk and identify new areas for therapeutic intervention.

Our work involves strong collaboration between researchers from the MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, the Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute (NMHRI) and the Systems Immunity Research Institute (SIURI), as well as the Neuroscience Division at the School of Biosciences.

Our aims

With our work we seek to pinpoint key biological mechanisms that play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

We have a key role to play in identifying the processes and pathways which influence disease risk or progression.

The work that we do will also inform how best to select patients for future study, as well as when the key points for intervention may be during the development of a disease

The information gained from our work in this area should help identify potential drugs that target the disease-critical aspects of the pathways and networks, before testing these in relevant models.