About Us
Research Focus
The mission of the Brain Repair Group (BRG) is to understand neurodegenerative diseases and to develop therapies to tackle these life-altering conditions. Our primary focus is on Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases, but our research extends to Alzheimer’s and ALS, where we are innovating with new ways to make a real difference to patients.
A key theme has been to create a cell therapy for Huntington’s disease. More than a decade of groundbreaking preclinical research has lead to us now being in a position to take our stem-cell derived medium spiny neuron product towards clinical translation.
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We are also exploring other issues both in-vivo and in-vitro at the leading edge of neuroscience research including. For example we are aiming to
understand and treat motor cognitive and neuropsychiatric impairments by uncovering novel neural pathways related to dysfunction in Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases. We are testing new therapies, including small molecules and gene treatments, to target these symptoms.
Understanding of neural development underpins much of our research. For example, we are unraveling the crucial roles that key genes like FoxP1 play in the development of medium spiny neurons. This is a vital component in understanding the role of these transcription factors in neurodegeneration supporting the development of new neural repair strategies.​
Our most recent lab group photo
The original Cardiff Brain Repair Group
Our History
​The Brain Repair Group is a cutting-edge research group founded in 1999 by the eminent Prof. Stephen Dunnett and Prof. Anne Rosser at Cardiff University. These two pioneers were instrumental in proving that fetal-derived neural transplantation could be a transformative strategy for treating Parkinson's and Huntington's Disease. Since the retirement of Prof. Dunnett, Dr. Mariah Lelos has stepped in as co-director alongside Prof. Rosser, bringing fresh energy and a new research emphasis to the group. Together, they are at the forefront of developing trailblazing stem cell-derived therapies, and working to bring these treatments to the clinic and make a real difference for those living with Huntington's and Parkinson's disease.
Steve and Anne
HD centre in Wales
Prof Anne Rosser is a founder of the HD Centre in Wales, a network for HD researchers across Wales. The Brain Repair Group is actively involved in this centre through the generation of relevant research and the organsation of research days to interact with the HD community.
NHS Partnership
Prof Rosser is a clinical neurologist running weekly clinics for people with Huntington's disease. ​
Interested in studying with us?
If so please email lelosmj@cardiff.ac.uk for more information