Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory (MMON)

Lead Research Organisation: MRC Harwell Institute

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

People

ORCID iD

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description Two PhD studentships from internal funding MRC Harwell
Amount £120,000 (GBP)
Organisation Medical Research Council (MRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2019 
End 08/2022
 
Title A new mouse model of motor neuron degeneration (FUS ALS) 
Description A new genetically engineered mouse model of FUS ALS 
Type Of Material Model of mechanisms or symptoms - mammalian in vivo 
Year Produced 2017 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Several labs now working with this model 
 
Title FUS mutant mice shed light on metabolic changes in disease 
Description Analysis of novel FUS mutant mice. 
Type Of Material Model of mechanisms or symptoms - mammalian in vivo 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact of interest to ALS researchers 
 
Title New method using machine learning and microscopy to assess mouse neuromuscular junctions. 
Description Used machine learning to automate the detailed investigation of neuromuscular junctions in the mouse. Important for many mouse models of neurodegeneration. 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Uptake by several users internationally. 
 
Title New mouse models including a new humanised TARDBP model 
Description New mouse models including a new humanised TARDBP model for neurodegeneration research including creating new mutations. 
Type Of Material Model of mechanisms or symptoms - mammalian in vivo 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Too soon 
 
Title Two new humanised FUS mutant strains P525L and Q519Ifs 
Description Fully humanised FUS gene, wildtype, onto which we have added the P525L mutation and, separately in a second strain of mouse, the Q519Ifs mutation, to try to more faithfully models human FUS motor neuron disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. 
Type Of Material Model of mechanisms or symptoms - mammalian in vivo 
Year Produced 2019 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact These mice have been presented at meetings, they are freely available, but we have not yet published on them. 
 
Title new humanised SOD1 mouse 
Description A new Humanised mouse model with the human SOD1 gene; this is a wildtype control for when we go forward to put in human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mutations into SOD1. 
Type Of Material Model of mechanisms or symptoms - mammalian in vivo 
Year Produced 2019 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact This mouse is freely available and has been presented at meetings, but we have not yet published on it. 
 
Title Engineered mouse FUS humanised ES cells. 
Description Mouse cell line that we may analyse rather than working with whole animals, thus helps with aims of NC3Rs. 
Type Of Material Data analysis technique 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact None yet. 
 
Title FUS homozygotes MEFs 
Description Working with a mouse model, an in vivo model, to produce IMMORTILISED cell lines so that we can drop our animal useage. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2017 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Reduced mouse numbers 
 
Description Abraham Acevedo Arozena 
Organisation Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria
Department La Fundación Canaria Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Canarias
Country Spain 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution PhD student time and effort to develop a new mouse model
Collaborator Contribution PhD supervision, DNA analysis, breeding and phenotypic analysis of a cohort of mice.
Impact Posters at meetings
Start Year 2016
 
Description Analysis of the FUS mouse translatome, Fratta, UCL 
Organisation University College London
Department Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution contribution of the unique FUS Delta14 mouse model
Collaborator Contribution RiboTagging and ChatCre breeding to pull down polysomes from the Delta14 mouse
Impact Multidisiplinary output. No outcomes yet as just started.
Start Year 2016
 
Description FUS humanised mice to U of Leuven 
Organisation University of Leuven
Country Belgium 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The MMON lab and collaborators created humanised FUS mice, sent to a researcher into motor neuron disease in Leuven, and sent prepublication as part of our collaboration.
Collaborator Contribution We created the mice for this collaboration, and carried out the initial characterisation.
Impact Too soon.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Greensmith lab small animal ephys 
Organisation University College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We provide novel mouse models of neurological disorders
Collaborator Contribution Analysis of nerve and muscle including by electrophysiology; all in mice.
Impact Many papers include work from this collaboration. All papers are listed under the relevant grants.
 
Description Humanised TARDBP mice to pharma 
Organisation AbbVie Inc
Department AbbVie (UK)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We created the novel humanised TARDBP mice, with Abraham Acevedo from Spain.
Collaborator Contribution The pharma company will use these mice to understand neurodegeneration.
Impact Too soon.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Labs at UCL for bespoke mouse models of neurodegeneration 
Organisation University College London
Department Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Genome engineering expertise
Collaborator Contribution In depth knowledge of specific forms of neurodegeneration Fratta, Isaacs, Greensmith, Schiavo, Wiseman.
Impact None yet.
Start Year 2017
 
Description MMON 
Organisation MRC Harwell
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Collaboration with the Mouse Models of Neurodegeneration lab at MRC Harwell, analysis of homozygous and heterozygous mice
Collaborator Contribution Breeding, inbreeding onto another background, and phenotypic analysis of homozygous and heterozygous mice.
Impact Inbred mice on different backgrounds. Cohorts of mice of different ages, sex-matched with littermate controls, wildtype, heterozygous, homozygous, for phenotypic analysis. Analysis of different phenotypes ranging from behavioural through to physiological.
Start Year 2017
 
Description Marc Ruepp, Sarah Mizielinksa, KCL -- Tom, repeat sequence cloning 
Organisation King's College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Technology for cloning stably, expanded repeats.
Collaborator Contribution Cell lines and disease expertise.
Impact Pending
Start Year 2020
 
Description Michael Ward, NIH - Tom repeat sequence cloning 
Organisation National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Country United States 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Repeat sequence cloning technique.
Collaborator Contribution Cell lines and disease expertise.
Impact pending.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Michael Ward, NIH - Tom repeat sequence cloning 
Organisation National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Country United States 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Repeat sequence cloning technique.
Collaborator Contribution Cell lines and disease expertise.
Impact pending.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Repeat sequence cloning, Peter Todd, U of Michigan 
Organisation University of Michigan
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Repeat sequence cloning technology to direct at Fragile X models.
Collaborator Contribution Cell lines and disease expertise
Impact pending
Start Year 2020
 
Description Repeat sequencing cloning, pig, Avantea 
Organisation Avantea
Country Italy 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Technology for stably cloning repeat sequences
Collaborator Contribution Animal models, cell lines.
Impact Pending
Start Year 2020
 
Description Tissues Jemeen Sreedharan 
Organisation King's College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Tissues and data from mouse model of ALS
Collaborator Contribution Comparison to existing model at KCL
Impact pending
Start Year 2020
 
Description Tom U of Sheffield for repeat cloning 
Organisation University of Sheffield
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Tom Cunningham of MRC Harwell developed new cloning method for repeat expansion diseases. In use now in Sheffield, Matt Parker.
Collaborator Contribution Cell lines and sequencing
Impact Scientific research collaboration. No publications yet, too early.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Tom with Bill Skarnes, Jax, for repeat cloning 
Organisation The Jackson Laboratory
Country United States 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Tom Cunningham for repeat cloning protocol for expanded repeats. To be used by the Jackson laboratory in human cells.
Collaborator Contribution Cell lines, technical expertise, outcome assays.
Impact Laboratory research, publications pending.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Tom with Bill Skarnes, Jax, for repeat cloning 
Organisation The Jackson Laboratory
Country United States 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Tom Cunningham for repeat cloning protocol for expanded repeats. To be used by the Jackson laboratory in human cells.
Collaborator Contribution Cell lines, technical expertise, outcome assays.
Impact Laboratory research, publications pending.
Start Year 2020
 
Description muscle in ALS models 
Organisation Biodonostia
Country Spain 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Tissues/mouse models of ALS
Collaborator Contribution Expertise in muscle evalutaion
Impact pending
Start Year 2020
 
Description studying ribosomal proteins 
Organisation University of Padova
Department Department of Neurosciences
Country Italy 
Sector Hospitals 
PI Contribution Access to a unique mouse model of FUS ALS (Delta14)
Collaborator Contribution Analysis of ribosomal proteins
Impact No outputs yet
Start Year 2017
 
Description with Pietro Fratta for ALS FUS/TDP43 mice 
Organisation University College London
Department Institute of Neurology
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution creation of novel humanised mouse models of ALS
Collaborator Contribution extensive analysis of transcriptomics and other measures.
Impact Potentially novel approach to therapeutics for sporadic ALS.
Start Year 2019
 
Title Antibody for FUS Delta 14 disease epitope. 
Description A disease specific antibody for our FUS Delta14 mouse model of motor neuron disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. 
IP Reference  
Protection Protection not required
Year Protection Granted 2017
Licensed Yes
Impact Antibody for FUS Delta 14 sent out for academic use.
 
Description DS special interest group 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Wiseman F, LonDownS Consortium (2018) Understanding Down syndrome using Alzheimer's mouse models. Dementia in intellectual disabilities, Special Interest Group Meeting, London, London UK.

Talk to mix of medical and other professionals working with peoplewith Down syndrome.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Edgar talk to Parkinson's patients at Open Day 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Patients, carers and/or patient groups
Results and Impact Open day at MRC Harwell; PI gave a talk to Parkinson's disease patients and carers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Interviewed on BBC Radio 4 for 'The Life Scientific' 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interviewed by Professor Jim Al-Khalili for a BBC Radio 4 broadcast on the 'Life Scientific'.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Keynote at 2023 IMPC meeting Oxford, ALS models 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact INternational meeting of the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium, 200 (?) attendees, presented our work and our field more broadly to the audience.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Keynote presentation and Mouse Genetics Network meeting, York 2024 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Keynote talk and taking part in debate on use of mouse models and use of mouse models for neurodegenerative disease.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Motor Neurone Disease/ALS Annual Symposium 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Two posters presented at this annual meeting which has an international audience of scientists AND an audience of patients/carers/charity specialists.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description New Scientist Live 2018 MRC Harwell 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact New Scientist Live 2018, a public engagement activity for various disciplines in science, on 21 September 2018
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Research seminar given at Inaugural ALS Symposium, Queen Square 2019, and in Umea, Sweden, and in Yeditepe University, Turkey 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Three seminars given in UK, Turkey, Sweden, to specialist audiences of researchers, on the disease ALS.
One outcome was collaboration and grant writing with the group of expert biochemists in Sweden.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Translation in ALS short film (5 minutes) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact We are currently making a short (5 minutes) film about Translation in ALS, for patients and carers and several of the specialist charities. The ALS charities will be able to use this film for raising hope and raising funding, and we will use it to try to gain funds for a longer film, from broadcasters.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
 
Description UCL Postgraduate symposium poster 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact De Giorgio A, Devoy A, Milioto C, Zhu F, MacKenzie K, Acevedo Arozena A, Fisher EMC (2018) Humanising the mouse Tardbp gene. UCL Sixth Annual Postgraduate Research Symposium, London, UK

Poster presented to postgraduates outside field.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018