ÌÇÐÄTV

· A hallmark of Parkinson's disease is the degeneration of a group of neurons in the brain that release the neurotransmitter dopamine (dopaminergic neurons).  By introducing low concentrations of structurally-defined aggregates of alpha synuclein, a key toxic species in Parkinson’s disease, into single dopaminergic neurons, researchers from the University of ÌÇÐÄTV have shown these protein aggregates open a specific channel in the cell membrane, reducing neuronal excitability. Furthermore they’ve shown that this can be partially prevented by pre-application of the commonly used anti-diabetic drug, glibenclamide.

Fish odour syndrome (trimethylaminuria) is a debilitating disease, in which the liver cannot break down the smelly chemical trimethylamine which is produced by enzymes from bacteria residing in the gut leaving people with a fish like odour. Researchers from the University of ÌÇÐÄTV are paving the way to prevent the syndrome after a breakthrough in studying the enzyme in the gut which produces trimethylamine.

For young people with cystic fibrosis, lung infection with Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, is common and is treated with antibiotics in the hope that this will prevent a decline in lung function. However there has recently been debate over the role S. aureus plays in CF lung disease. Researchers from the University of ÌÇÐÄTV have used a new model of CF lungs which could be used to make better decisions about future use of antibiotics.

From improving mapping of species at risk to analysing the uptake of COVID-19 test and tracing apps by the public, researchers at the University of ÌÇÐÄTV's Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies (CIM) are launching six new projects investigating how new technologies are shaping society, and demonstrating how data science can tackle current social, political and ecological challenges.

Tanycytes are glial cells, which communicate with neurons in the brain to inform it of what we have eaten. Researchers from the School of Life Sciences at the University of ÌÇÐÄTV have found when tanycytes are selectively stimulated appetite was increased.

A new method for engineering living materials called ‘MeniFluidics’, made by researchers at the University of ÌÇÐÄTV could see a transformation in tissue engineering and bio-art, as well as new ways to research cellular interactions.