A University of Dundee expert has been appointed to lead a new centre that will drive research to better understand the causes of Parkinson’s disease.
Professor Miratul Muqit, based in the University’s MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC-PPU) and a recognised leader in Parkinson’s research, has been announced as the inaugural Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) Parkinson’s Research Centre.
Launched earlier this year, the £10 million centre has been established with the aim of identifying new approaches to Parkinson’s prediction and prevention, alongside the development and testing of new treatments to prevent the onset, and slow or even reverse the progression of the condition.
Professor Muqit’s laboratory at Dundee is world-renowned after making fundamental discoveries of how mutations in two genes - PINK1 and Parkin - lead to the accumulation of damaged mitochondria in brain cells. This has contributed to the development of targeted therapies designed to remove damaged mitochondria which entered Phase 1 trials for Parkinson’s patients last year. Together with colleagues at the MRC-PPU, his work has helped establish Dundee as a world leading centre for Parkinson’s research.
In his new role, Professor Muqit will continue his thriving research programme at the University in addition to establishing a UK DRI funded programme of research at the University of Edinburgh. He will also have a national role building the Parkinson’s Research Centre across the UK DRI network and shaping the Parkinson’s research landscape over the coming years.
“It is an absolute honour to lead the new UK DRI Parkinson’s Research Centre in partnership with Parkinson’s UK,” he said.
“As a practising neurologist, I am acutely aware of the lack of disease-modifying therapies for people with Parkinson’s. My vision is to build a centre fully integrated with people with Parkinson’s and which will become one of the world’s leading centres for discovery science and translation that will deliver new ideas for better diagnosing and treating Parkinson’s in the future.
“I would like to thank my lab members and many colleagues here at the University who have supported our work over the years and enabled it to flourish. Our research has also benefitted from interacting with people with Parkinson’s, including members of our Dundee Research Interest Group, who also helped me with my application for the role.”
Professor Dario Alessi, Director of the MRC-PPU added, “Miratul’s appointment as Director of the new Parkinson’s Centre within the UK Dementia Research Institute marks a major milestone for the Parkinson’s research community.
“In this national role, he will be uniquely positioned to coordinate efforts across the UK to better understand, diagnose, and treat Parkinson’s disease. His vision and scientific leadership will accelerate the discovery of therapies that could one day slow or halt disease progression.
“This appointment also further strengthens the University of Dundee’s position as a major hub for Parkinson’s research and reflects the exceptional talent we have been able to attract and nurture in Dundee over recent years.”