Our Multi-‘omics Atlas Project (MAP) will use an unprecedented range of advanced techniques to examine tissue from eight different regions of the Alzheimer’s Disease brain. The aim is to gain a much fuller understanding of key cell characteristics, including what influences the genes of individual cells to be expressed, and the role of proteins and other factors on their function. The data obtained will be combined with information gathered from microscopic examination of the tissue, and with the medical history of each brain donor. Powerful new molecular imaging technology will be used to examine subtle but important differences in cell types and their relationships in the brain. From these data, scientists will be able to develop a better understanding of how individual cells function and interact with their environment.

The UK DRI is putting £2 million behind the project, which will be managed by Dr Johanna Jackson at our centre at Imperial College London, under the leadership of Professor Paul Matthews. It has the potential to further our understanding of disease manifestation and progression on an unprecendented level, thanks to the number of techniques being used together, the number of brain regions being studied at different phases of disease, and the rigorous approach to standardisation of tissue. Researchers worldwide will be able to access and use the data, so facilitating new understanding of disease mechanisms, development of more precise biomarkers, and the discovery of novel drug targets.

Collaborators

Brains for Dementia Research
An initiative funded jointly by Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer's Research UK to support brain donation and provide much needed brain tissue for researchers.
Visit the website here.

UK Brain Banks Network
An initiative, led by MRC, to establish a coordinated national network of UK brain tissue resources (banks) for researchers to use.
Visit the website here.