MRC Prion Unit at UCL

Prion diseases, also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), are a group of progressive, fatal neurodegenerative conditions affecting mammals. They can be acquired through infection, arise spontaneously or be inherited. Our research is highly multidisciplinary and focus both on areas of public health concern and a long-term approach to the understanding of prion disease. They include studies of molecular structure, genetics, biochemistry, immunology, cell and animal models, and clinical research - including treatment trials. Our research philosophy is to seamlessly combine basic (laboratory) and clinical (patient-based) research. The Institute of Prion Diseases was created in 2017 within the Faculty of Brain Sciences at University College London. The Institute incorporates the MRC Prion Unit which has transferred to the new Institute as part of the MRC's national strategic programme of transferring existing MRC Units to universities. The Institute undertakes ground-breaking research and is one of the world’s leading research centres for the study of prion disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The Institute of Prion Diseases also hosts a UK-wide tertiary referral service for patients suspected to have, or at risk of developing, any form of prion disease - the National Prion Clinic (NPC) - is based at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, part of University College Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.