Dr Barry Bradford

Core Scientist (Research Fellow)

Tel: +441316519117
Email: Barry.bradford@roslin.ed.ac.uk
Web: University of Edinburgh Research Explorer Profile
Web: Roslin Prion Research and Neuropathology
Twitter @DrBMBradford

Street: The Roslin Institute
Easter Bush Campus
Midlothian
City: Edinburgh
Post code: EH25 9RG

Biography

Background

Following completion of my BSc(Hons) in Biological Sciences with Neuroscience, I joined the Institute for Animal Health Neuropathogenesis Unit (IAH-NPU) Edinburgh, UK in 2000. I am currently employed as a Core Scientist (Research Fellow) in the Mucosal Host Pathogen Interactions & Prion Research and Neuropathology Groups as well as managing the Histology Facility at The Roslin Institute.

Qualifications

1998 BSc Biological Science with Neuroscience (Honours), The University of Edinburgh
2007MSc by Research. Title: The role of Schwann cells in transmissible spongiform encephalopathy neuroinvasion. The University of Edinburgh
2016 PhD. Title: The role of CXCR5 expressing dendritic cells in transmissible spongiform encephalopathy pathogenesis, The University of Edinburgh

Teaching & PhD supervision

Open to PhD supervision enquiries?

Yes

Current PhD students supervised

PhD Reiss Pal 2020-
PHD (Advisor) Emma Green 2020-

Past PhD students supervised

MSc Research students

Joe Reynolds 2020
Christianus Wijaya 2019

Honours/Veterinary Research students

Danica Ariyadasa-Sáez 2019
Laura Tetlow 2016
Caroline Wood 2015
Lester Thoo 2014
Kah Yap 2013
Mark Laloo 2013
Matthew Helsby 2012

Research

Research summary

Prion diseases are prototypical protein-misfolding neurodegenerative disorders. Using this model we study how protein-misfolding within the brain results in activation of the supporting glia cells, impacts upon brain function and ultimately leads to loss of the connections (synapses) and death of brain cells (neurons). The goal of my research is to understand how this happens and how other infections and activation of the immune system may influence neurodegeneration. the ultimate goal of my research is to identify potential therapeutic treatments for these currently untreatable conditions.

Current research interests

Prion disease immuno - and neuro- pathogenesis. Astrocyte heterogeneity and mechanism of activation in neurodegenerative diseases. Microglia role and immune memory in health and disease. Longitudinal gait analysis during neurodegenerative disease

Past research interests

The role of Csf1r on mononuclear phagocyte development including microglia within the CNS. The role of the chemokine receptor CXCR5 in immune function. The role of glycoprotein sialylation in prion infection. The role of dendritic cells in antigen presentation in relation to prion and helminthic infections. The role of the innate immune system in prion pathogenesis. Mononuclear phagocyte lineage and markers of macrophages and dendritic cells. Variable glycosylation of prion protein and impact upon prion infection and strain properties. Conditional expression of prion protein and its role in health and disease.