Basic & Clinical Neuroscience MD(Res)/MPhil/PhD at Kings College London

Overview

• Number of academic staff: approx 36

• Number of research students: approx 55

• Number of postdoctoral scientists: approx 45

The Basic and Clinical Neuroscience department’s mission is to change the therapeutic options for people with neurological and psychiatric disorders and inspire the next generation of neuroscientists. Our vision is to link up fundamental biological research and clinical research to gain a better understanding of disease mechanisms, identify novel opportunities for intervention and test out new therapies. This will only be achieved through close collaboration of scientists and clinicians working on a common problem.

Our research explores the cellular and molecular basis of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Batten disease, motor neuron disease, schizophrenia, depression and autism spectrum disorder. Within this brief, we focus on using stem cells and patient specific induced pluripotent stem cells and use these as models to unravel transcriptional, epigenetic and signalling regulatory mechanisms responsible for formation and maintenance of neurons and astrocytes and also as transplantation tools to restore function lost in neurodegeneration and stroke. We use fly and rodent models to investigate the molecular basis of learning and memory.

In addition, human brain tissue, cell and animal models are used to identify genes, proteins and signalling pathways implicated in the development of motor neuron disease, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, with a view to developing novel disease-modifying therapies for the treatment of these diseases.

Our current research facilities have been greatly enhanced with the opening of the Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, which provides cutting-edge technology for more than 200 Neuroscientists. We are driving research that will translate molecular discoveries made in the laboratory into therapies for our patients. 

Key benefits

• Access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities
• Interaction with internationally recognised researchers in a wide range of neuroscience topics 
• Excellence in basic and clinical research and development 
• Strong partnerships with hospitals, industry and other research centres 
• Access to rich and varied clinical populations 
• PhD students have access to a wide range of educational resources, ranging from neuroscience specific seminars at the Department to transferable skills and career development resources at the KCL level. 
• Opportunities to be involved in tutorials and laboratory demonstrations for undergraduate and taught post-graduate students.

Description

The Department’s mission is to change the therapeutic options for people with Neurological and Psychiatric disorders and inspire the next generation of Neuroscientists. Our vision is to link up fundamental biological research and clinical research to gain a better understanding of disease mechanisms, identify novel opportunities for intervention and test out new therapies. This will only be achieved through close collaboration of Scientists and Clinicians working on a common problem.

Our current research facilities have been greatly enhanced with the opening of the Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, which provides cutting-edge technology for more than 200 Neuroscientists. We are driving research that will translate molecular discoveries made in the laboratory into therapies for our patients. 

The Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience sits within the Division of Neuroscience at the IoPPN. Related courses include: 

• · Neuroimaging MD (Res) / MPhil / PhD 
• · Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering (Research Division) MPhil / PhD