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The UK DRI Parkinson’s thematic network was established in March 2022 and is led by Dr Tim Bartels (UK DRI at UCL) and Dr Dayne Beccano-Kelly (UK DRI at Cardiff). The network is managed by Dr Ruby Wallis (UK DRI Core Team) and has an Early Career Researcher (ECR) steering group to coordinate ECR activities. 

The strengths and expertise in Parkinson's research at the UK DRI include:

  • Genetics and epigenetics (Hardy, Ryten, Marzi, Mallach, Skene, Nott)
  • Alpha-synuclein biology (Bartels, Klenerman)
  • Gut-brain axis (Hong, Bartels)
  • Digital, fluid and imaging biomarkers (Zetterberg, Sandor, Haar, Lally)
  • Synapse biology (Beccano-Kelly, Spires-Jones)
  • Proteostasis (Rubinsztein)
  • Mitochondrial function (Balmus)
  • Stem cell models (Webber, Beccano-Kelly, Selvaraj, Chandran, Bowles)
  • Functional genomics (Bowles, Webber)
  • Robotics (Vaidyanathan)
  • Neuromodulation (Grossman) 

The Parkinson's thematic network also has a large interest group composing of both national and international researchers, and a network of ECRs from across the UK. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Parkinson's Theme Manager Dr Ruby Wallis.

Three people stand at the front of a room at a conference

Parkinson's network Group Leader meeting in 2024

Tara Spires-Jones

Prof Tara Spires-Jones

Group Leader

UK DRI at Edinburgh

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

Learn more Prof Tara Spires-Jones
Ravi Vaidyanathan

Prof Ravi Vaidyanathan

Group Leader

UK DRI Care Research & Technology at Imperial

Developing a family of robotic devices that can engage people living with dementia, helping improve safety in the home and enhancing quality of life

Learn more Prof Ravi Vaidyanathan
Caleb Webber

Prof Caleb Webber

Director of Data Science & Group Leader

UK DRI at Cardiff

Combining state-of-the-art stem cell models with bioinformatics techniques to boost our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s disease

Learn more Prof Caleb Webber
Profile picture of Henrik Zetterberg

Prof Henrik Zetterberg

Group Leader

UK DRI at UCL

Pioneering the development of fluid biomarkers for dementia

Learn more Prof Henrik Zetterberg