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Matthew Wood graduated in Medicine from the University of Cape Town in 1987 and gained a doctorate in Physiological Sciences from the University of Oxford in 1993. He is currently a University Lecturer and Fellow Tutor in Medicine and Physiology at Somerville College. His research is focused on gene therapy for degenerative disorders of the nervous system and muscle, primarily investigating novel therapeutic approaches utilizing short nucleic acids to target messenger RNA. He is particularly interested in the targeting of RNA to modify target transcripts and reprogram endogenous genetic defects that lead to specific disease alleles, while maintaining the regulation of the target gene. His current research includes investigating the potential of single-stranded antisense oligonucleotides for modifying mRNA splicing, especially in the context of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Additionally, he is exploring double-stranded RNA gene silencing, known as RNA interference (RNAi), to silence mutant alleles of target genes in the muscle and nervous system, with a focus on its potential as a therapeutic agent for currently untreatable neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
Department of Politics and International Relations - Higher Level English requirement.