Identifying new ways to repair myelin
- Lead researcher:
- Dr Mark Kotter and Professor Shlomo Rotshenker
- Based at:
- University of Cambridge & The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- MS Society funding:
- £400,000
- Status:
- Complete
About the project
MS is characterised by the immune system attacking the myelin coating of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Identifying treatments that can help to repair myelin may help to prevent the progression of MS.
In an international collaboration between the UK and Israel, researchers are investigating new ways of repairing myelin and preventing nerve cell death. When myelin is damaged by the immune system, it creates a build-up of debris in the surrounding area that prevents the production of oligodendrocytes - the myelin-producing cells. This, in turn, prevents the repair of myelin. Researchers are looking at ways to clean up this debris, so that the oligodendrocytes are able to rebuild the damaged myelin and help to keep the nerve cells alive.
We are co-funding this project in partnership with the British Council, through their regenerative medicine initiative, BIRAX (Britain Israel Research and Academic Exchange Partnership).
How will it help people with MS?
Finding new ways to promote myelin repair in the laboratory is crucial in the development of treatments that can help people with MS.
The next research breakthrough is in reach
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