Parkinson's UK researcher speaks at national stem cell conference

14 July 2010

Parkinson's UK-funded researcher Dr Richard Wade-Martins is speaking today at the UK National Stem Cell Network annual science conference in Nottingham about his work with stem cells.

Dr Wade-Martins and his team - winner of our first Discovery Award - are gathering data from over 1,000 people with early stage Parkinson's.

The researchers are taking small samples of skin tissue to grow special stem cells called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells).

iPS cells can come from any human tissue, such as skin, and then be used to create specific types of cell to use for research.

What are the researchers doing?

The researchers will use the iPS cells to grow dopamine neurons. It is the loss of dopamine in brain cells that causes Parkinson's.

Dr Wade-Martins explains:

"Parkinson's is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the UK and is set to become increasingly common as we live longer.

"iPS cells provide new and exciting opportunities to grow and study dopamine neurons from people with Parkinson's for the first time.

"Once we have produced neurons we can compare the functioning of cells taken from people with Parkinson's and those without to better understand why dopamine neurons die."

Vital Parkinson's research

Dr Kieran Breen, our Director of Research and Development adds:

"We are passionate about finding a cure for Parkinson's. This is vital research that will help us better understand the causes of this devastating condition and how it progresses.

"We hope this research will pave the way for new and better treatments for people with Parkinson's in the future."

Radio and TV coverage

BBC Radio 4 Today programme - listen to Dr Richard Wade-Martins explaining the importance of this research

Dr Kieran Breen, our Director of Research, also appeared on BBC Breakfast TV this morning - and is due to be interviewed on BBC1 again today, on the lunchtime news at approximately 1.10pm.

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