Our aim is to gain a better understanding of the response of the peripheral nervous system to injury in order to develop strategies to promote peripheral nerve repair and to prevent the development of neuropathic pain. To do this we employ a variety of multi-disciplinary techniques ranging from transgenic models to human psychophysical studies and genetics. None© Dr Greg Weir OVERVIEW Nerve injury can have devastating consequences resulting in loss of motor and sensory function as well as neuropathic pain. Our aim is to understand the pathophysiology of neural injury in order to develop strategies to maximise functional recovery and prevent deleterious outcomes such as persistent pain. RESEARCH An important consequence of neural injury is altered signalling between neurons
glia and immune cells. We are investigating the molecules mediating such signalling and their role in neural repair and the development of neuropathic pain. This is achieved by transcriptional analysis
the use of transgenic technology to ablate signalling components in adulthood and studying model systems in vitro. In patients we are trying to develop a better understanding of how to stratify patients with nerve injury and monitor changes in function. In relation to neuropathic pain we are studying the genetic basis of inherited pain syndromes
how gene variants in ion channels impact on channel biophysics and sensory neuron function. We are also developing the use of human induced pleuripotent stem cells as a means of studying pathophysiology. Finally
we have been devloping novel chemogenetic means to silence specific sensory neuron populations The immune system is our body's means of defence against harmful foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses. One of its roles is to produce antibodies
which are designed to selectively destroy disease-causing agents. Occasionally
however
antibodies mistake the body itself for these agents. These ‘autoantibodies’ lead to an 'autoimmune' condition that can involve almost any organ. If they target parts of the nervous system
autoimmune neurological conditions can result. In many cases the autoantibodies can be depleted with treatment such as steroids and washing the blood with plasma exchange. But many patients don't respond well to the initial drugs
and require further medication to suppress the immune system. Despite treatments
many patients are also often left with problems
typically involving memory
mood or behaviour. Therefore
there is a pressing need to develop new medications based on a better understanding of the neurological conditions. OUR WORK Our work is principally focussed on the detection of these neurological autoantibodies in patients
and developing a better understanding of their causes and treatment. The main disease categories which we study are the many forms of Autoimmune Epilepsy / Encephalitis and Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). Our research is focused on: - Developing new autoantibody tests - Understanding the mechanism of action of patient autoantibodies - Appreciate which cells produce autoantibodies - Study how these cells are best targeted with medications In addition
the Group has established a national referral diagnostic service 25 years ago and performs over 500 serological autoantibody assays each week
90% of these are for NHS patients. These tests help neurologists around the country
and abroad
to diagnose and hence treat their patients. Skills & Qualifications • Ability to work independently and efficiently. • Strong organizational and task prioritization skills. • Excellent communication skills and proficiency in performing administrative and clerical tasks. • Proficient in general laboratory procedures
techniques
and documentation. • Willingness to learn and adapt to new techniques and technologies. • Fluent in English
Spanish
French
and Catalan. • Proficient in statistical analysis and software such as SPSS
MATLAB
and Python. • Proficient in using various software programs
including Microsoft Office Suite (Word
Excel
PowerPoint). • Advanced knowledge and experience in 3D cell culture techniques. • Skilled in protein isolation
Western Blot
PCR
rt-qPCR
toxicity testing
IHC
Northern Blot
and ELISA. • Proficient in anatomical dissection studies for medical and veterinary purposes. • Experienced in static analysis of behavioral data and microarray data. • Familiarity with electrophysiology
imaging
protein purification
and optical and electron microscopy techniques. • Advanced level proficiency in conducting animal experiments
behavioral experiments
anatomical dissection
and molecular analysis.I lead the University of Oxford's programme of research into the inflammatory neuropathies. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a devastating
acute inflammatory neuropathy with substantial mortality as well as morbidity. There is an urgent need to improve upon the current situation where 4-5% of GBS patients die
20-25% require mechanical ventilation
14-20% have severe disability at 1 year
and many more are left with residual weakness
persistent pain and/or are unable to resume their former occupation. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculo-neuropathy (CIDP) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) are chronic inflammatory neuropathies which produce significant long-term and often progressive disability with a sizeable economic cost. Despite this
disease modifying therapies for these conditions have not advanced in over 20 years
the pathological mechanisms driving them are incompletely characterised
and there is no reliable way to identify early those patients who respond poorly to standard treatments and are thus most likely to benefit from additional therapy. We have now successfully achieved myelination with human induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurons and Schwann cells in co-culture
a goal of numerous peripheral nerve laboratories around the world. Given the differences between rodent and human myelin
this offers clear advantages for the study of peripheral nerve injury and repair processes relevant to human health and disease. Furthermore
the complex landscape of the live neural membrane
with interactions between neighbouring molecules
including those at specialised regions such as the node of Ranvier
is known to influence antibody-antigen interactions
yet cannot be accurately recapitulated in solid phase assays or in frozen sections. As well as better assessing these interactions
this technique allows the simultaneous evaluation of pathogenic effects and injury mechanisms. CLINICAL LINKS Our research also includes a clinical / observational study of chronic inflammatory neuropathy (Bio-SPiN) and the group contributes to and benefits from close links with the comprehensive and high-quality clinical-serological database of over 1400 patients encapsulated in the International GBS Outcome Study (IGOS). We have previously been involved in therapeutic trials of fingolimod for CIDP and eculizumab for GBS. Our team
the Oxford Autoimmune Neurology Diagnostic Laboratory
is part of the Division of Neurology in the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences. Within our Department we collaborate with Neurologists who have varied interests in peripheral and central nervous system antibody mediated diseases that are treatable. We has been instrumental in defining a number of these autoantibody mediated CNS diseases over the last two decades and have developed blood tests to support clinical diagnoses of people with severe but treatable diseases. We are looking for an enthusiastic
motivated and innovative Laboratory Technician to support a small
busy team who run the Autoimmune Neurology Diagnostic Laboratory. The role involves running a test to support patient diagnoses. Supporting senior staff in high volume tests
working with the laboratory manager to support stock checks
work with the quality management team to maintain standards to UKAS:ISO15189
and support the team in maintaining the laboratory. You will receive full training in all aspects of the position. You will be someone with an eye for detail who is accurate and works well with everyone from laboratory technicians and neurologists to senior scientists and the facilities team. You will hold a degree in a suitable field such as immunology
biology
biochemistry or microbiology. You will have excellent organizational skills and it would be an advantage if you were a biomedical or clinical scientist.