Translational Neuroimmunology and Stroke Research Group

We bring together clinical neurology and experimental neuroscience to advance understanding how immune processes shape disease course and outcomes in a range of neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis and autoimmune encephalitis where the immune system attacks the brain.

Co-led by Dr Andrew Swayne (Clinical Director of Neurology) and Prof Marc Ruitenberg (Director of Biomedical Research), our group connects patient-based investigation with pre-clinical mechanistic discovery research. Our program of research spans acquired brain and spinal cord injury, including stroke, autoimmune and antibody-mediated disorders. Our primary interest lies in how immune cells can drive both pathology and repair.

Our approach: We integrate clinical studies and high-resolution experimental systems to trace disease processes and origins – from clinical presentation to cellular and molecular mechanisms. Our discovery research is guided by clinical observations, ensuring the questions we ask can translate into new treatments and better care.