Enabling technologies: cross-cutting themes

By bringing together specialist knowledge, shared resources and cross-disciplinary collaboration, our cross-cutting themes enable research excellence and help translate discoveries into meaningful benefits for patients.

Neuroinflammation

Led by Prof Kevin Couper, the aim of this theme is to understand fundamental mechanisms of inflammation and how they contribute to brain disease and pathology.

To address this, we investigate inflammation in a number of clinically important disease contexts, spanning acute brain injury and chronic neurodegeneration. We also employ translationally-relevant approaches where mechanisms of inflammation are dissected in models of disease with validation in patient tissues and cohorts.

This research builds on Manchester’s internationally recognised leadership in neuroinflammation research, where close integration between discovery science, experimental medicine and clinical practice creates a unique environment for advancing new treatments for brain disease.

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Multicolored fluorescence microscopy showing dense, swirling fibrous tissue and scattered cells against a dark background.

Brain imaging

Led by Prof Laura Parkes and Prof Stavros Stivaros, the imaging theme develops sensitive and specific imaging measures to understand disease mechanisms. These mechanisms include neuroinflammation after stroke and brain tumour, functional brain reorganisation following tumour growth and treatment, and changes in cerebral blood flow and metabolism.

By incorporating research protocols into routine clinical imaging, particularly in acute settings, we are developing diagnostic and predictive disease models while accelerating translation into clinical practice.

Side-by-side axial brain scans: a greyscale MRI on the left and a red-yellow perfusion scan on the right.

Nanotechnology for brain disease

Led by Dr Tom Kisby, this theme consists of six research teams. They each aim to bridge the gap between fundamental nanomaterial engineering for medical devices and therapeutics development to contribute to advanced diagnostic, treatment or monitoring technologies for brain disease.

The theme’s mission is to offer solutions to clinical needs based on the cutting-edge and emerging discipline of nanoscience and nanotechnology, with the aim of translating new platforms to the clinic.

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Centre for Nanotechnology in Medicine

A person in a lab coat standing at a bench operating a microscope.

Manchester Brain Bank

Managed by Dr Andrew Robinson, the Manchester Brain Bank (MBB) collects and supplies human brain tissues for research locally, nationally and internationally. It has underpinned much of the basic clinical research into frontotemporal dementia that Manchester has pioneered over 30 years.

MBB is part of the UK Brain Banks Network and uses dissection protocols established by the BrainNet Europe consortium. The bank works closely with many of the neuroscience and mental health research themes at The University of Manchester, including neuro-oncology.