Gandhi lab Neurodegeneration Biology Laboratory

Dopaminergic neurons generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Blue stain for the nuclei and yellow stain for tyrosine hydroxylase, a dopaminergic neuron marker.

We use patient-derived human stem cells as a model for investigating the causes of Parkinson’s disease (PD), with the ultimate aim of translating our insights into improved diagnostics, biomarkers, and novel targets for therapies.

We use human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to investigate the key cellular and molecular events underlying neurodegeneration. I examine human stem cells using cutting-edge dynamic imaging, in order to investigate the mechanisms that lead to neurodegeneration. 

We are particularly interested in two key mechanisms: protein misfolding and perturbed RNA regulation, and how these mechanisms influence cell dysfunction during disease.

Overall, our aim is to understand how these two key processes (protein misfolding and perturbed RNA regulation) conspire in neurodegenerative disease. The ultimate hope is that through a better understanding of the molecular and cellular origins of diseases like Parkinson’s disease (PD), we will be able to take a more strategic approach to the development of novel therapies.

When we first joined the Crick, we were a joint laboratory with Rickie Patani's group, but are now two independent groups. Information about Rickie Patani's research group is available on the group's page.