Professor Elizabeth Bradbury, King's College London
Dates: | 6 March 2024 |
Times: | 12:00 - 13:00 |
What is it: | Seminar |
Organiser: | School of Biological Sciences |
How much: | Free |
Who is it for: | University staff, Adults, Current University students |
Speaker: | Professor Elizabeth Bradbury |
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Elizabeth Bradbury, Professor of Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine, King’s College London
Regenerating the injured spinal cord: from mechanisms to translation
Spinal cord injury can result in severe and lifelong disability and represents a major medical challenge, with healthcare costs among the highest of any neurological condition, no cure and no adequate therapies available. Research in the Bradbury lab aims to understand the molecular and cellular processes responsible for regeneration failure and loss of function after traumatic spinal cord injury and to develop new therapies which target these. Following spinal cord injury, chronic tissue scarring and maladaptive changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) prevent tissue repair and inflammation resolution and restrict neuroplasticity. These pathological processes can be targeted with matrix-degrading enzymes. I will present research using novel gene therapy approaches to manipulate the ECM and enable neuroplasticity of motor pathways and will show evidence that the ECM plays a key role in the failure of inflammation resolution after spinal cord injury. I will also present translational research focused on maximising the potential for recovery of upper limb and hand function (one of the highest rated patient priorities for improving independence and quality of life). Finally, I will discuss ongoing efforts to develop cross-translational models of neurotrauma and to translate new regenerative and neuroprotective therapies into clinical treatments for brain and spinal cord injury.
Key relevant publications:
Francos-Quijorna et al (2022) Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans prevent immune cell phenotypic conversion and inflammation resolution via TLR4 in rodent models of spinal cord injury. Nature Communications. 13 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-30467-5
Bradbury EJ, Burnside ER (2019) Moving beyond the glial scar for spinal cord repair. Nat Commun10:3879. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-11707-7
Speaker
Professor Elizabeth Bradbury
Role: Professor of Neuroscience & Regenerative Medicine
Organisation: King's College London
Travel and Contact Information
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Michael Smith Lecture Theatre
Michael Smith Building
Manchester