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Tara Spires-Jones

Prof Tara Spires-Jones

(FMedSci (she/her))

Group Leader

Deciphering why synapses and neurons degenerate and whether boosting resilience of synapses can protect the brain

Techniques

Advanced microscopy & imaging, Mouse in vivo imaging, Non-mammalian animal models, Stem cells / iPSCs

Biography

Prof Tara Spires-Jones’ FMedSci research focuses on the mechanisms and reversibility of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease, other degenerative brain diseases, and ageing.  Her work has shown that soluble forms of pathological amyloid beta and tau contribute to synapse and neurodegeneration and that pathological forms of tau spread through the brain via synapses. 

In addition to research, Prof Spires-Jones is passionate about communicating scientific findings to the public and policy makers; increasing the rigour and reproducibility in translational neuroscience; promoting inclusivity and diversity in science; and supporting career development of neuroscientists. She is President of the British Neuroscience Association (2023-2025), Director of the University of Edinburgh Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, and was elected to the UK Academy of Medical Sciences in 2024.

News

Key publications

Neuropathology and applied neurobiology
Published
Enhancing Lateral Resolution Using Two-Colour Direct Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy to Unravel Synaptic Tau Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors
Érika Sánchez-Aced, Borja Moya-Llamas, Joaquim Aumatell Escabias, Soraya Torres, Martí Colom-Cadena, Jordi Pegueroles, Cristian de Quintana-Schmidt, Àlex Bayés, Laura Molina-Porcel, Iban Aldecoa, Olivia Belbin, Juan Fortea, Tara Spires-Jones, Sílvia Pujals, Sònia Sirisi, Alberto Lleó
Enhancing Lateral Resolution Using Two-Colour Direct Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy to Unravel Synaptic Tau Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease
Acta Neuropathologica Communications
Published
Comparative profiling of the synaptic proteome from Alzheimer's disease patients with focus on the APOE genotype
Authors
Raphael Hesse, Maica Llavero Hurtado, Rosemary J. Jackson, Samantha L. Eaton, Abigail G. Herrmann, Marti Colom-Cadena, Makis Tzioras, Declan King, Jamie Rose, Jane Tulloch, Chris-Anne McKenzie, Colin Smith, Christopher M. Henstridge, Douglas Lamont, Thomas M. Wishart, Tara L. Spires-Jones
Comparative profiling of the synaptic proteome from Alzheimer's disease patients with focus on the APOE genotype

Spires-Jones Lab

Explore the work of the Spires-Jones Lab focused on deciphering why synapses and neurons degenerate and whether boosting resilience of synapses can protect the brain.

Human iPSC neurons from researcher Jamie Toombs