World-first Alzheimer's research published today by Claire Durrant, funded by a £1m donation from the James Dyson Foundation. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eySbwQss
In a world first, scientists, funded by a £1m donation from the James Dyson Foundation, have used living human brain tissue to replicate Alzheimer’s disease. Dr Claire Durrant and her team have demonstrated how Alzheimer’s disease damages brain cells, by exposing healthy living brain tissue to a toxic protein associated with the disease, allowing them to observe the breakdown of brain connections in real time. It’s a powerful new way to study the disease and accelerate drug research and testing. James Dyson said: “I’ve been delighted to support Dr Durrant's novel approach. Working with brain surgeons and their consenting patients to collect samples of living human brain and keep them alive in the lab is a groundbreaking method. It allows researchers to better examine Alzheimer's disease on real human brain cells rather than relying on animal substitutes, such as mice. Dr Durrant’s findings show that she is progressing towards solving one of the most devastating problems of our time." Dr Durrant is a Race Against Dementia Fellow – a programme founded by F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart. Read more about Dr Durrant’s ground-breaking research in her blog here: https://lnkd.in/dtG-jRvt