Dr. Noel Buckley

Biography

Noel Buckley is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry whose research focuses on neurobiology, particularly gene networks in neuronal development and disease. His work examines the complex interactions within the human brain, which is composed of approximately 100 billion neurons, and investigates the gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that govern neuronal genesis, development, and degeneration. Professor Buckley's overarching goal is to identify networks that contribute to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, thereby providing insights into novel therapeutic targets. His research employs various methodologies, including induced pluripotent stem cells, genomic tools for transcriptional and epigenetic data analysis, and genome editing to explore how specific genetic changes affect neuronal development and death. He collaborates with basic, clinical, and translational neuroscientists to address these challenges, with a focus on transcription factors like REST, which regulate neurodevelopment and have implications for diseases like Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s. As part of a broad consortium at the Oxford ARUK Drug Development Institute, he aims to expedite the translation of research findings into therapeutic applications.

Research Interests