The aim of this programme grant is to establish an MS Society-funded centre of research excellence at the University of Cambridge, dedicated to promoting myelin repair in people with MS.

In MS a number of processes occur including inflammation, damage to myelin, damage to the cells which make myelin, called oligodendrocytes, and nerve fibre loss. In the early stages of MS damaged oligodendrocytes are replaced by oligodendrocytes newly generated from stem cells. This process is called remyelination, which is highly beneficial in terms of protecting nerve fibres and restoring proper nerve function. It is also associated with clinical improvement. However, as the disease progresses remyelination fails, which can lead to loss of nerve fibres and disability progression.

Enhancing remyelination is therefore imperative for two reasons –
1) it allows nerve fibres to function normally by repairing existing damage and
2) it prevents nerve fibre loss, thereby preventing long-term disease progression.

The MS Society Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair is a three stage plan aimed at promoting remyelination.

In phase 1 laboratory-based scientists will use newly developed experimental techniques to increase understanding of how remyelination works. This will make it possible to establish why it sometimes fails and what needs doing to reactivate it.

In phase 2 potential strategies which emerge from phase 1 will be tested in experimental models of MS.

In phase 3 clinicians and scientists will work together in translating promising approaches developed in the laboratory into clinical treatments.

In this programme grant phase 1 will be significantly advanced and phase 2 will be underway within the five year duration.

The Team
In order to execute this plan a team of senior investigators have been assembled in Cambridge with distinctive but complementary areas of expertise in myelin development biology (Prof. Charles ffrench-Constant, Dr Siddharthan Chandran), myelin and axon regeneration (Prof. Robin Franklin, Prof. James Fawcett), models of MS (Prof. Bill Blakemore), and MS treatment and clinical trials (Prof. Alastair Compston, Dr Alasdair Coles).

This team represents a breadth of expertise in myelin and MS concentrated in one location that has few rivals anywhere in the world. It is expected that the formation of the centre will attract other researchers to Cambridge and focus their efforts on myelin repair and achieving the common goal. The centre will bring them together for a concerted and sustained effort to tackle the difficult problems that currently stand in the way of new and effective treatments for people with MS.