Mark Dallas

Neurodegenerative diseases include a number of disorders that have different symptoms and effects, all of which act through the mechanism of compromising the brain's capacity to control itself or the body by damaging cells known as neurons that facilitate normal brain function. Various cellular proteins are involved in regulating normal physiological function including ion channels and neurotransmitter transporters. These complex proteins are expressed in various cell types within the central nervous system and are influenced by a host of endogenous and exogenous signalling molecules. Active research into these proteins is important as they underlie a host of pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases. My research primarily uses electrophysiological techniques coupled with molecular biology experiments to further our understanding of ion channel and transporter physiology within the central nervous system, specifically glial cell contributions.

I am also interested in the so called gasotransmitters and their actions as key signalling molecules in both the cardiovascular and nervous systems. These molecules (nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide) are generated throughout the body and can either be toxic or protective to cells. A growing body of evidence suggests that these gasotransmitters regulate cellular signalling cascades by targeting specific ion channels and that this can dictate toxicity vs protection. My focus here is to understand how these gasotransmitters influence a range of cellular functions and be potentially used as neuromodulatory agents.

Watch this video to find out about dementia research at the University.

Research in the lab is generously funded by The Royal SocietyThe Physiological Society The Alzheimer's Association and Alzheimer's Research UK