Ian Duncan

Biography

Titles and Education -Professor of Neurology -BVMS 1971, Glasgow University -PhD 1975, Glasgow University, FRCVS, FRCPath, FRSE Research- His research is aimed at repairing the central nervous system in people with myelin disorders. While his major target is multiple sclerosis (MS), he is also devising strategies for myelin repair in the inherited childhood disorders, particularly Krabbe’s disease and Pelizaeus Merzbacher disease.Professor Duncan is attempting to identify and isolate in large numbers, myelinating cells from human embryonic or neural stem cells. He then test the myelinating capacities of these cells by transplanting them into animal models of human disease. These models either are mutants with disorders in myelin or myelin-related genes, or experimental immune mediated demyelinating disease. While much of his work involves the focal implantation of cells,he is also trying to devise methods of cell dissemination throughout the CNS. Recent Publications -Autophagy promotes oligodendrocyte survival and function following dys and demyelination in a long-lived myelin mutant.

Research Interest

repairing the central nervous system in people with myelin disorders.