Myelin in Health and Disease Group

Neurodegenerative diseases cause a gradual loss of neurons from the nervous system. Since neurons rely on myelin for proper function, could myelin play a key role in neurodegeneration? To investigate, our group uses stem cell and mouse models to study myelin changes during development and in other diseases.

Our group is primarily focused on understanding the role of myelin and myelin-producing cells, called oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells, in motor neuron disease (MND). We are also interested in myelination in development as well as in other diseases like Multiple Sclerosis.

We utilise induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) to model myelin in health and disease using a combination of 2D and 3D cultures. We also use mouse models and human post-mortem tissue. Collectively, we use these models to assay myelin at a cell, and subcellular, level using a range of molecular and biochemical assays. Our goal is to identify the precise role that myelin plays in motor neuron disease. Our expertise with iPSC, and particularly our ability to differentiate them into complex organoid structures, also allows us the opportunity to study myelin in development and in other disease contexts.

Dr Samantha Barton

Group Head
[email protected]