Latest News
New laboratory space for OPDC Researchers
1 March 2021
A major building in the centre of Oxford has been constructed to create a new research centre bringing together cellular neuroscience and physical sciences.
Dopamine neurons need a 'REST' in Parkinson’s Disease
16 February 2021
A study led by University of Oxford researchers, Dr Brent Ryan and Dr Nora Bengoa-Vergniory has shown that the key protein RE1 Silencing Transcription Factor (REST) regulates the health of those neurons critically affected in Parkinson’s Disease.
Tau-proximity ligation assay reveals extensive previously undetected pathology prior to neurofibrillary tangles in preclinical Alzheimer's disease
4 February 2021
A study led by the Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre’s (OPDC) Dr Nora Bengoa-Vergniory has shown that a novel assay termed the tau-proximity ligation assay is able to recognise Alzheimer’s disease before current detection methods.
Dayne Beccano-Kelly awarded UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship
16 October 2020
New Future Leaders Fellow Dr Beccano-Kelly will lead research into synaptic health over time in neurodegeneration. Watch our video interview with Dayne to find out more about his career to date, successful application and future plans.
Sites of early dysfunction in Parkinson's identified
2 October 2020
A new collaborative study from the Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre led by Prof Stephanie Cragg and Dr Bradley Roberts has revealed that GABA transporters on astrocytes, the brain's lesser known yet critically important cells, support dopamine release and are sites of early dysfunction in parkinsonism.
Tiny brain “tweezers” could hold the key to treat Parkinson’s
28 September 2020
A collaborative study led by the OPDC's Dr Nora Bengoa-Vergniory has shown that compounds known as molecular tweezers could become a promising disease modifying therapy for Parkinson’s.
Dayne Beccano-Kelly appointed World Parkinson Coalition Science Ambassador
22 September 2020
The World Parkinson Coalition has brought in eight new Science Ambassadors to increase outreach to researchers ahead of their next major Congress.
Genetic study points to cells responsible for Parkinson’s
25 August 2020
New results from a collaborative Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre and Cardiff University study on the cellular origins of Parkinson's could be key to developing new treatments.
Natalie Connor-Robson widens access to STEM skills with In2scienceUK
14 August 2020
OPDC Career Development Fellow Natalie Connor-Robson was first generation in her family to go to university and is now delighted to be sharing STEM career advice with students taking part in the In2scienceUK programme.
Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre pays tribute to one of its loyal fundraisers
30 July 2020
Researchers from the Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre (OPDC) have been paying tribute to Bobbie Coelho, one of the OPDC’s long term fundraisers who has decided to take a step back from active fundraising activities.
Black In Neuro Week: Dayne Beccano-Kelly on race, academia and research
28 July 2020
OPDC Researcher Dr Dayne Beccano-Kelly shares his experience of being a black professional in academia & the wider story of race in research.
OPDC Researchers hit target for Parkinson's UK with 2.6 Challenge
30 April 2020
Wade-Martins Lab members took part in the 2.6 challenge to raise vital funds for Parkinson's UK. Challenges included running for 2.6 miles, baking 26 cookies, 260 sit ups and 2600 steps.
Milena Cioroch is Apprentice of the Month
24 April 2020
Milena Cioroch, Research Assistant in the Wade-Martins Lab at the Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, is undertaking a Management training course as part of the University of Oxford Apprenticeships scheme. She has been awarded Apprentice of the Month for March 2020 by her training provider Abingdon and Witney College. Here we take a closer look at her work for the department and how she has developed her career through the scheme.
Celebrating research success in World Parkinson's Month April 2020
15 April 2020
To celebrate World Parkinson's Month, Dementias Platform UK focuses on the work being carried out by the Wade-Martins Lab and the OPDC in Parkinson’s and dementia research.
A new blood-based test to help predict Parkinson’s disease
14 April 2020
Research carried out by George Tofaris and his team has led to the development of a new way to test for Parkinson’s disease before the main symptoms occur. This could allow clinicians to identify patients who would benefit from precision therapies that are currently at clinical trial stage.
Research Spotlight: ‘I want to get high enough up the chain to pull others over the wall with me’
1 November 2019
Continuing their series celebrating ‘amazing people at Oxford who you should know about’, Central University's Science Blog talks to Dayne Beccano-Kelly, an electrophysiologist and Career Development Fellow in our department and part of the Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre.
Caution when looking at cell recycling in Parkinson’s
31 October 2019
Our Researchers at the Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre have shown that cell recycling in Parkinson’s may play a more complex role than previously thought.
Research Spotlight for Black History Month: Pavandeep Rai
28 October 2019
October is Black History Month, which is celebrated nationwide every year to recognise the contributions that people from BAME backgrounds have made to this country. Here at DPAG, we get to know one of our Researchers - Pavandeep Rai, a Postdoctoral Research Scientist working in the Wade-Martins Group. Pavandeep is working at the forefront of an industry/academia collaborative project aimed at developing potential new drugs to treat Parkinson’s.