Neuroscience

Neuroscience research in the faculty of biological sciences

Neuroscience

Our research

The nervous system is the most complex and highly organised part of the body and neuroscience seeks to understand how this system is able to generate perception, thoughts and behaviour. This understanding is essential for combating disease and injury of the nervous systems.

To tackle this formidable task, neuroscientists at Leeds employ multiple techniques ranging from traditional electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry and behavioural testing to high-resolution imaging (including CryoEM), high-density recordings, optogenetics and bioelectronics, cutting across various disciplines. They are working, using in-vitro and in-vivo animal models and humans, on aspects of neural influences on body systems from sensory perception to motor output, encompassing neuroplasticity.

The close proximity of our researchers to the extensive facilities and resources available enables productive cross-faculty collaborations. Our research feeds directly into our teaching, in particular our undergraduate degree programme; BSc/MBiol Neuroscience.

Neuroscience is a multi-faculty endeavour with over 44 research labs from the Faculty of Biological Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine and Health and the Faculty of Engineering. Discover more about our interdisciplinary Neuroscience research

Research themes

Molecular neuroscience aims to understand functions and malfunctions of the nervous system at a molecular scale.

More on Molecular Neuroscience

Neurodegenerative disorders deprive individuals of their memories and independence and are a global issue. Understanding the causes and finding effective treatments are major goals to promote heathy human ageing.

More on Neurodegeneration

Neural circuits are the building blocks of the brain's computational power. We want to reveal how neural circuits operate.

More on Neural Circuits

Nerve injuries often leave people severely disabled and in pain. We study mechanisms of neuronal damage and repair with the ultimate goal to improve recovery after injury.

More on Neurotrauma and Repair

Research groups

A multidisciplinary community, university and clinical research group bringing together people with cerebral palsy, their family and carers, clinicians, healthcare professionals and researchers.

More on Cerebral Palsy Research (CPRes)