Vascular, Glial & Immune Cells

The Division of Vascular, Immune and Glial Cells will seek to transform our understanding of how non-neuronal cells drive, sustain, and can potentially reverse the processes underlying dementia. Mounting evidence shows that microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and vascular cells are not passive bystanders but active participants in neurodegeneration - shaping neuroinflammation, metabolism, myelination and cerebral blood flow. The Division’s mission over a ten-year period is to define the mechanisms by which these cell types interact with each other and with neurons, and to harness this knowledge to develop effective disease-modifying therapies and preventative strategies.

The Division’s goals are tightly integrated with the UK DRI and with national priorities to reduce the impact of disease and produce societal benefits through economic prosperity. Our vision is to restore and preserve brain health by targeting the vascular, immune and glial systems that sustain neural circuits. Our approach will be selective and focused. We will achieve this through an integrated programme that unites cell biologists, physiologists and clinicians to pursue the following strategic goals.