The West Lab
The West Lab was established in November 2019 at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience at the University of Sheffield. Our research focuses on using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism, in combination with the study of patient-derived cell lines and patient tissue, to understand the molecular mechanims underpinning neurodegenerative diseases. We have a particular focus on Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) / Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Parkinson's Disease. We also work closely with both academic and industry partners to support drug-screening using Drosophila as a high-throughput in vivo model.
What We Do
Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is an early onset form of dementia. Research in our lab looks to model genetic forms of FTD, including those associated with the C9Orf72 and CHMP2B genes, using Drosophila. Using these models we are trying to characterise the molecular mechanisms underpinning disease. We are particualry interested in understanding the mechansims contributing to disease heterogeneity.Â
Motor Neurone Disease
Parkinson's Disease
