Research Overview

The Molecular Neuropathology Group is headed by Professor Paul Harrison, and is based at the University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry at the Warneford Hospital. The group investigates the molecular neuropathology and neurobiology of schizophrenia and mood disorders. We are interested in how genes influence these illnesses via their actions in the brain. The work utilizes a wide range of techniques to study genes, mRNAs and proteins, including in situ hybridization, northern and western blotting, PCR, RT-PCR, qPCR, laser-assisted microdissection, radioligand binding, immunocytochemistry, autoradiography and image analysis. We also carry out morphometric studies and behavioural pharmacological analyses.

Current  research projects include:

• Neurobiology of schizophrenia susceptibility genes, including neuregulin, COMT, DAO and mGluR3.
• Synaptic pathology and neuronal circuitry in schizophrenia.
• Neurodevelopmental and molecular markers of schizophrenia.
• The effects of psychotropic medication on gene expression.
• The neuropathological consequences of stress.
• Behavioural and molecular consequences of glutamate receptor blockade.
• Bioinformatics-based discovery of schizophrenia genes.
• Validation of novel molecular methods for use in human postmortem brain.

Most of these projects are carried out in collaboration with colleagues in other departments in Oxford, or with the Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, National Institute for Mental Health, Bethesda, USA. Our research is funded by the Medical Research Council, Stanley Medical Research Institute, Wellcome Trust, and NARSAD.