Development and establishment of physiologically relevant in vitro models
Using a range of in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) models, we aim to understand the detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms of BBB disruption in neurological and cardiovascular diseases.We are keen to collaborate with pharmaceutical industry partners to test brain penetration of selected neuroprotective drugs across the BBB using these model systems.
Contact Dr Patabendige for contract research opportunities to test CNS penetration of drugs.
Replacement of animal models for studying the blood-brain barrier
We’re committed to the 3Rs and committed to develop non-animal technologies to study BBB disruption in neurological diseases.
Understanding the pathophysiology of ischaemic stroke and the role of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics
We are unravelling the mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of impaired brain fluid homeostasis in neurological diseases such as stroke and brain trauma. Disruption of brain fluid dynamics can be life threatening, as this leads to an elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). We have demonstrated that changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume can lead to ICP elevation in ischaemic stroke in preclinical studies. We are now exploring clinical translation and potential treatment strategies to reduce the ICP elevation in ischaemic stroke.
- For a comprehensive review on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) see https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0969996109002083?via%3Dihub
- For a discussion on the evidence for BBB disruption during atrial fibrillation see https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsob.200396
- To understand the impact of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics on neurological diseases see https://fluidsbarrierscns.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12987-019-0129-6
Contact Dr Patabendige: [email protected]
PhD students – projects on BBB/CSF/stroke/Alzheimer’s disease/dementia/atrial fibrillation
Early career researchers and postdocs – inquire for support with studentship/fellowship applications
Undergraduate students – placements available
We have state-of-the-art cell culture facilities within the Biology department and fully equipped laboratory suites with excellent technical support.
