Barry McColl
Barry McColl
The overall goal of our research is to understand neuroimmune mechanisms influencing brain injury, repair and disease in order to identify new targets for treatments
The overall goal of our research is to understand neuroimmune mechanisms influencing brain injury, repair and disease in order to identify new targets for treatments. We have particular interests in cerebrovascular disease (stroke and vascular cognitive disorders) and neurodegenerative diseases linked to dysfunction of microglia and neuroimmune regulation. Research in the lab largely encompasses three major strands each of which involves a range of molecular, cellular and organismal approaches using preclinical models, human samples and patient-based investigation.
Key research themes:
- Microglial mechanisms of resilience and susceptibility to neurodegenerative disease
- Role of myeloid cells in brain injury and repair
- Neuroimmune signalling and systemic immune dysfunction after stroke
The central nervous system and immune system engage in many interactions that keep us healthy and prevent the brain from degenerating. We study some of these interactions and try to identify how they work and how they might be augmented to reduce ageing-related impairments in brain function. Sometimes, inappropriate or excessive activation of the immune system can also cause tissue damage in the brain, for example after an injury like a stroke. We investigate how this occurs and how to dampen the immune response to minimise damage and promote repair in the injured brain. We also study how immune complications, sucha s infection, outside the brain can affect the recovery from brain injury.