Centre for Transformative Neuroscience
A Newcastle University Centre of Research Excellence
Understanding the brain in health and disease remains one of the great challenges of our time. We do world-leading transformative neuroscience. We aim to bring real benefit to patients and society.
Our ambition is to advance both fundamental and translational neuroscience. We are an interdisciplinary centre that tackles major neuroscientific questions.
Tackling major leading-edge questions
For many diseases and disorders of the brain – including Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, sensory, motor and communication impairments - wholly effective treatments still do not exist.
These challenges require the combined efforts of experts in:
- fundamental and clinical neuroscience
- engineering
- computing
- ethics and law
- social sciences
- speech and language therapy
Our aims
The Newcastle Centre for Transformative Neuroscience aims to:
- foster collaboration across the sciences and humanities to tackle leading-edge questions in neuroscience
- invent tools to understand brain function and discover treatments for brain disorders
- develop implants and wearable devices to overcome disease and improve quality of life
- address societal and ethical issues raised by neuroscience
- engage the insights that the arts and humanities bring to communicating neuroscience and improving mental wellbeing
International reputation for excellence
Newcastle has an international reputation for fundamental and translational research on the nervous system and its disorders. Our excellence has led to awards such as:
- the EPSRC/Wellcome funded CANDO project to develop a brain implant to treat epilepsy (£10m)
- the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research (£6m)
- the Wellcome-Wolfson Centre for Translational Systems Neuroscience capital award (£4.8m)
- a £1m donation from the Reece Foundation to the Centre for Translational Systems Neuroscience
The Centre will integrate existing areas of excellence across our Faculties of :
- Medical Sciences
- Science, Agriculture and Engineering
- Humanities and Social Sciences
To stimulate transformative initiatives in neuroscience, we will work in conjunction with:
- NHS Trusts
- industrial partners, both national and international
- governmental and non-governmental organisations
- academic partners, globally
Our Centre:
- is open to all colleagues engaged in neuroscience-related research with a vision to tackle neuroscientific challenges
- will build on existing and emerging links with external partners
- encourages the formation of new teams to develop interdisciplinary research or teaching initiatives
- embraces an ethos of multidisciplinarity and inclusivity, and targets all career stages
- will provide a forum for interaction via incubator events and workshops
| Initial work streams | Theme leads |
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Cognitive systems: understanding the basis of cognition and its links to dementia and mental healthWe combine the unique expertise in Newcastle in:
Emerging work is identifying links and synergies between the functions of these brain systems and disease states including:
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Artificial intelligence for diagnosis and treatment of neurological disordersWe bring together neuroscientists and computational scientists. They apply the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to problems and methodologies in neuroscience, including:
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Neuromedical engineering for implants, assistive and wearable technologyWe combine expertise in engineering and neuroscience. We develop radical new ways to treat and manage neurological disorders using implants or external devices to:
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The development of novel animal models harnessing our unique rodent-to-primate-to-human translational capabilitiesHere we exploit Newcastle’s position as a leading UK centre engaged in non-human primate research. We have the potential to develop research models across a range of species from rodent to human, including:
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Our research goals
Our goals include:
- facilitating collaboration to bring about transformations in the diagnosis and treatment of disease
- development of devices and methods that enhance quality of life
- developing applications for large-scale strategic funding by harnessing diverse disciplines across our faculties
- stimulating the multidisciplinary training and education essential for the next generation of neuroscientists
We aim to unify researchers across all three Newcastle University Faculties and partners beyond the university. We will have a focused approach on areas where Newcastle has unique strengths and potential. This will allow us to exploit the funding landscape and enable transformative research that establishes Newcastle’s leading position in neuroscience.
Steering group
The Centre steering group is drawn from across the three faculties.
- Adrian Rees (Director)
- Zofia Chrzanowska-Lightowlers
- Patrick Degenaar
- Daniel Erskine
- Anya Hurlbert
- Andrew Jackson
- Hamish McAllister-Williams
- Chris Petkov
- Nick Riches
- Alex Thiele
- Yujiang Wang
Our role is to encourage new initiatives; explore wider funding opportunities, including philanthropy; and develop the Centre strategy.
Contact us
If you are based in Newcastle and would like to join this initiative – or indeed are interested in collaborating with us externally - please use the contact link below.