Portsmouth may be key in treating brain disease
Arthur Butt, Professor of cellular neurophysiology in the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Science, is one of only two UK scientists to be part of a new 3million euro EC-funded European School of Glial Cell Research. He has also won £350k from the Medical Research Council to further his own research in the field. "It's staggering that glial cells are so important yet we know so little about them. Most people haven't even heard of them and even neurologists are often unaware of their importance. Any strategy which aims to promote brain repair will involve glia so it is crucial that we drive research to understand them," said Professor Butt. The £350K funding from the Medical Research Council will allow Professor Butt to study a specific protein called Kir4.1, which is essential for glial cells to operate. His work has already shown that loss of the Kir4.1 protein, which helps to mop up certain chemicals in the brain, can cause brain damage. "Glial cell research is fundamental - it's relevant to every pathology in the brain and these recent grant wins are recognition of the importance of the work. I am very hopeful that we can make some groundbreaking discoveries into the causes of brain disease," said Professor Butt. Portsmouth and Manchester are the only two UK Institutions involved in the project which will be lead from Germany and which brings together researchers from Sweden, France, Israel and the Czech Republic. Professor Butt says: "Germany has dozens of glia experts but the UK has less than half a dozen so our involvement in this significant and puts the University of Portsmouth firmly on the map. The opportunities for research here are going to be very exciting indeed." Find out more about postgraduate study at Portsmouth University. Looking for funding for postgraduate studies in 2010? Check out the exclusive bursaries on offer from Postgrad Solutions. Content added on 15th March 2010. |
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Two grants at the University of Portsmouth may help scientists find new treatments for Multiple Sclerosis, brain tumours, Alzheimer's and other diseases of the brain. These significant grants are for glial cell research. Glial cells are named after the Greek word for glue. They are the most abundant cells in the brain, but little research has been done into them until relatively recently. However scientists now believe they may be crucial in finding treatments for incurable diseases of the brain.