Dr Jessica C F Kwok
- Position: Associate Professor of Neuroscience
- Areas of expertise: Perineuronal nets; plasticity; glycosaminoglycans; extracellular matrix; spinal cord injury; neurodegeneration; memory and ageing
- Email: J.Kwok@leeds.ac.uk
- Phone: +44(0)113 343 9802
- Location: 5.55f Garstang
- Website: Twitter | LinkedIn | ORCID
Profile
The Kwok Lab focuses on the mechanism of perineuronal net (PNNs) assembly and how PNNs regulate the functions in the central nervous system. We integrates techniques in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, in vivo models and medicinal chemistry, to investigate nervous system functions, both in physiological conditions and in diseases. We aim to harness neuroplasticity for improving functional recovery after spinal cord injury and enhancing memory and learning ability in neurodegenerative conditions (e.g. Alzherimer’s disease and ageing).
A neuro-/glyco-biologist focusing on enhancing plasticity for central nervous system pathologies.
Council member for the European Society for Neurochemistry (ESN) (2023 until current)
Responsibilities
- FBS Theme Lead for Healthy Living
Research interests
The key research focus of the Kwok Lab is to decipher the role of chondroitin sulphates (CSs) and extracellular matrix assembly for the treatments of a multitude of CNS conditions, including spinal cord injury, epilepsy, ageing, memory and neurodegeneration, via plasticity enhancement.
Current Lab members:
- PhDs (main superviser): Ashleigh Goodenough, Cihan Civas, Taya Bosson, Felecia Sutton
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PhDs (co-superviser): Abigail Roberts, Ben Stevens, Noelia Martinez-Varea, Jelizaveta Pavljuk
X@KwokLab X@NeuroLeeds X@UProteoglycans
<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>Qualifications
- PhD (Biochemistry)
Professional memberships
- European Society for Neurochemistry
- International Society for Neurochemistry
- Federation for European Neuroscience
- The Biochemical Society
- International Society of Hyaluronan Sciences
Student education
Research groups and institutes
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
- Macromolecular Complexes
- Molecular Neuroscience
- Neurodegeneration
- Neurotrauma and Repair