The centre aims to discover how the human brain develops, addressing key gaps in understanding brain growth from the womb to early childhood. It will combine world-leading expertise and cutting-edge research to inform effective treatments for conditions caused by disrupted development.
The University of Manchester will spearhead the Centre’s clinical translation programme, ensuring scientific discoveries are translated into effective treatments. Professor Shruti Garg, Centre Translational Lead and Deputy Director at UoM, will collaborate with Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH) and Saint Mary’s Hospital, part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), to lead this research.
Professor Garg, also an Honorary Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at RMCH, stated that Manchester's research will focus on understanding how changes in brain development affect children with genetic conditions. The goal is to identify those most likely to experience neurodevelopmental difficulties earlier and accelerate the development of new interventions.
“"By bringing together expertise from across the Centre, our ambition is to identify infants most likely to develop a neurodisability earlier than ever before, to understand when intervention will be most effective, and develop treatments that can improve outcomes for children and families with rare genetic conditions across the country."
The Manchester team will build on existing research in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), other rare genetic conditions, and childhood epilepsies. Professor Garg, also part of the Mental Health Theme at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC): Manchester, highlighted the use of brain imaging to understand learning and cognitive difficulties associated with NF1.
Professor Siddharth Banka, Professor of Genomic Medicine and Rare Diseases at UoM and Consultant Clinical Geneticist at Saint Mary’s Hospital, will support work on genetic neurodevelopmental conditions. He noted that studying genetic changes provides a unique window into the processes that shape the developing brain.
“"The human brain is the most complex organ in the human body, and largely the instructions to build and shape it are encoded in our DNA. Every genetic change that results in a neurodevelopmental condition provides a unique window into the processes that shape the developing brain. Studying these genetic conditions can therefore reveal fundamental processes of human brain development."
Backed by up to £50 million of MRC funding over 14 years, the Centre will employ advanced technologies, including pre- and post-natal brain imaging, laboratory-grown miniature brain tissue models, and artificial intelligence, to study the development of the human cerebral cortex.
Centre Lead, Professor Oscar Marín, based at King’s College London, explained that the centre aims to develop markers of healthy brain development measurable in babies and children to help evaluate treatments. He added that new technologies now exist to bridge the gap in understanding how brain signals relate to internal development.
Dr Ceri Williams, Executive Director of Challenge Led Themes at MRC, expressed delight at the announcement, stating the centre offers a powerful opportunity to transform lives through earlier and fairer interventions for children.
