Dr Pascal F Durrenberger

Main objective: Better understanding of cellular and molecular pathogenic pathways of neurodegeneration, discovery of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

 

Specific interests:Pathways and mechanisms involved in neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration and, in particular, involvement of innate immune system and interactions between glia/microglia and neurones during plasticity in the central nervous system. Pursue my research interests in clinical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.

 

 

  

BSc Psychology (Hons), Birkbeck College, London, UK. MSc Clinical Neuroscience and Immunology, Roehampton University, London, UK. PhD Clinical Medical Research, Imperial College London, London, UK.

Immune system and neurodegeneration

One particular interest of research is the involvement of the immune system in the central nervous system and more specifically the role of the innate immune system in neuronal loss.  A number of danger signals have been identified and are recognised by the innate immune system leading to a cascade of events believed to aggravate neurological conditions.

Another theme of interest is the resolution of inflammation which is relevant in respect to repair and regeneration. 

Innate immune system and Multiple Sclerosis

My current project aims to establish a functional role of natural killer cells in autoimmune diseases and more particuarly in multiple sclerosis. Our group has a particular interest in the involvement of HLA/KIR gene combination variants in disease. 

Astrocyte 

I have a particular interest in astrocyte biology in disease and in identifying an astrocyte phenotype supportive of remyelination.

Academic work

I am also involved in various academic-related activities at Imperial College London such as teaching and student final year project supervision.

Examples of some recent submitted dissertation titles:

Louise Webb "Involvement of a nonclassical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule in multiple sclerosis" (2011)

Malcolm Sim "HLA-C is increase in Multiple Sclerosis" (2010)

Louise Webb "Innate Immunity in Multiple Sclerosis - An evaluaion of natural cytotoxicity triggering receptor 1 expression in white matter lesions" (2010)

Jordan Evans "Parkinson's disease, not just a disorder of neurones" (2009)

Michaela D Filiou "DNAJ/HSP40 chaperone family: expression in Parkinson's disease" (2006)

Memberships

British Society of Immunology

Multiple Sclerosis Society

British Neuroscience Association

The Society for Natural Immunity