Glial Cell Biology
Our current research focuses on two aspects of glial cell biology. The first involves the manipulations of oligodendrocytes to facilitate remyelination and the second the study of the potential of a specialised glial cell from the olfactory system, termed olfactory ensheathing cells (OEC) to repair the damaged CNS. OECs have become important candidates for transplant-mediated repair of CNS lesions, due to their inherent ability to support regeneration and the normal turnover of axons during the life. This is unusual as regeneration is not normally associated with adult mammalian CNS tissue. In the past we have made detailed characterisation of the cellular and molecular properties of OECs. We have been able to identify the human equivalent of the OEC, which shares many cell biological properties with the rat OEC. In particular, it can effect transplant-mediated remyelination of demyelinated axons, supporting future prospects for these cells to translate to the clinic for therapy.
Principal investigator:
Research scientists:
Alessandra dos Santos Silva
Mercedes Tomé
Andrew Toft (joint Dr J Riddell, IBLS)
Paul Montague (joint Prof P Kennedy Clinical Neuroscience)
Collaborators:
Dr John Riddell, (IBLS)
Dr Mathis Riehle, (Cell Engineering)
Prof Hugh Willison, (Clinical Neurosciences)
Dr C Thomson, (Massey University, New Zealand)