After obtaining a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from University College Swansea I subsequently took up a research position at the National Institute of Medical Research (MRC, Mill Hill), focusing on spinal cord regeneration under supervision of Professor Geoff Raisman. I then moved to the Institute of Neurology working under the supervision of Professor Tamas Revesz, initially studying progressive supranuclear palsy and the different tau isoforms. The project focus shifted towards two hereditary neurodegenerative diseases familial British dementia (FBD) and familial Danish dementia (FDD). Completing my PhD in 2006 investigating the pathology of FBD and FDD providing detailed information about amyloid formation in the brain in these rare conditions, which have similar neuropathological features to those of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) thus providing a model of AD. I am currently focusing my research on frontotemporal dementias (FTLD) currently funded by the Alzheimer’s Research UK senior fellowship. FTLD's are a large group of dementia's characterized by the deposition of several different proteins. Initial work was carried out to re-diagnose archival cases with the new classifications set out by the FTLD working group. Comparing the underlying pathology with detailed clinical histories therefore enabling a more accurate diagnosis in life for future patients. Work has now progressed into investigating how the pathological proteins are involved in FTLD, with particular interest in the proteins TDP-43 and FUS and their role in nuclear transport. My research team has expanded to cover many different disciplines including neuropathology, multi-omics approaches and epigenetics to understand the initiating processes in different neurodegenerative diseases.

I also undertake research and consultancy work with a variety of funders and clients. If you have a specific enquiry about current research programmes or the services my team and I can provide, please email me at T.Lashley@ucl.ac.uk