Neurodegeneration, Stem Cells and the promise of Brain Repair

Neurodegeneration, Stem Cells and the promise of Brain Repair

By

Prof. Siddharthan Chandran
Professor of Neurology
Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences
The University of Edinburgh

Thursday, February 17, 2011
at 4:00 p.m.
in the Ground Floor Lecture Hall (LH1)

ALL ARE WELCOME

Abstract

Although the cause of neurodegeneration is unknown it has become increasingly clear that the glial cell population plays a central role both in health and injury of neurons. Thus improved understanding of the interaction between glial and neurons is central to the development of neuroprotective strategies. Human stem cells offer a unique opportunity to address this question. Applying developmental neurobiological insights to generate region specific functional neurons and glia from human pluripotent stem cells is a pre-requisite for disease modelling. The ability to extend such studies to patient specific stem cells offers an
unrivalled opportunity to model human disease in a dish, discover and test new drugs as well as potentially use stem cells as putative neuro-regenerative treatments. This concept will be illustrated by reference to disease modelling of inherited ALS using patient specific stem cells.

Note: Vehicle leaves for NCBS at 3.15 pm from the parking bay in front of the main library in IISc and at 5.45  pm from NCBS to IISc.

Please join for High Tea and discussions in Hortus Malabaricus Garden after the talk