James N. Sleigh
@jamessleigh.bsky.social
MRC-funded group leader at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology studying peripheral nerve diseases to develop targeted gene therapies #CMT #ALS #SMA #AxonalTransport | he/him
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
Do all #NTFs regulate #MotorNeuron axonal transport in vivo?
Our new preprint shows they do not.
#BDNF enhances (shorturl.at/siwFi), #CNTF slows, and #HGF, #NRTN & #proBDNF show no effect.
#AxonalTransport regulation is selective, not universal.
@jamessleigh.bsky.social @uclqsion.bsky.social
Our new preprint shows they do not.
#BDNF enhances (shorturl.at/siwFi), #CNTF slows, and #HGF, #NRTN & #proBDNF show no effect.
#AxonalTransport regulation is selective, not universal.
@jamessleigh.bsky.social @uclqsion.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Do all #NTFs regulate #MotorNeuron axonal transport in vivo?
Our new preprint shows they do not.
#BDNF enhances (shorturl.at/siwFi), #CNTF slows, and #HGF, #NRTN & #proBDNF show no effect.
#AxonalTransport regulation is selective, not universal.
@jamessleigh.bsky.social @uclqsion.bsky.social
Our new preprint shows they do not.
#BDNF enhances (shorturl.at/siwFi), #CNTF slows, and #HGF, #NRTN & #proBDNF show no effect.
#AxonalTransport regulation is selective, not universal.
@jamessleigh.bsky.social @uclqsion.bsky.social
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
Paper Alert!! Our collaborative work with Giger Lab at UMich is out now in #ScienceTranslationMedicine Deletion of murine Sarm1 results in a microenvironment that delays peripheral nerve regeneration after injury | Science Translational Medicine @science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Deletion of murine Sarm1 results in a microenvironment that delays peripheral nerve regeneration after injury
In Sarm1-deficient mice, peripheral nervous system regeneration is delayed after injury.
www.science.org
October 8, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Paper Alert!! Our collaborative work with Giger Lab at UMich is out now in #ScienceTranslationMedicine Deletion of murine Sarm1 results in a microenvironment that delays peripheral nerve regeneration after injury | Science Translational Medicine @science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
How much of what we think we ‘know’ is just trust in the person that told us?
And what price do we pay for confusing the two?
Coming soon in Science Without Anguish:
‘Don’t believe everything you think!’
sciencewithoutanguish.com
Starts Monday 22nd Sep
And what price do we pay for confusing the two?
Coming soon in Science Without Anguish:
‘Don’t believe everything you think!’
sciencewithoutanguish.com
Starts Monday 22nd Sep
September 20, 2025 at 1:24 PM
How much of what we think we ‘know’ is just trust in the person that told us?
And what price do we pay for confusing the two?
Coming soon in Science Without Anguish:
‘Don’t believe everything you think!’
sciencewithoutanguish.com
Starts Monday 22nd Sep
And what price do we pay for confusing the two?
Coming soon in Science Without Anguish:
‘Don’t believe everything you think!’
sciencewithoutanguish.com
Starts Monday 22nd Sep
Beautiful data from @dvillarroelc.bsky.social showing a key role for TBK1 in #AxonalTransport of signalling endosomes:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
@uclqsion.bsky.social @mndassoc.bsky.social #ALS #MND
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
@uclqsion.bsky.social @mndassoc.bsky.social #ALS #MND
September 9, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Beautiful data from @dvillarroelc.bsky.social showing a key role for TBK1 in #AxonalTransport of signalling endosomes:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
@uclqsion.bsky.social @mndassoc.bsky.social #ALS #MND
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
@uclqsion.bsky.social @mndassoc.bsky.social #ALS #MND
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
The programme is up for #NeuroBioUK25 - take a look! And don’t forget to register by the 3rd of September…. neurobiouk.sites.sheffield.ac.uk/programme
NeuroBioUK - Programme
9 AM Arrival, registration & coffee
Session 1: Organelle and synaptic signalling
Session Chair:
9:45 AM Introduction
9:50 AM Sally Horton, The Francis Crick Institute, "CDKL5 in synaptic formation,...
neurobiouk.sites.sheffield.ac.uk
August 28, 2025 at 9:11 AM
The programme is up for #NeuroBioUK25 - take a look! And don’t forget to register by the 3rd of September…. neurobiouk.sites.sheffield.ac.uk/programme
It's an honour to become a Professor at such a wonderful institution @uclqsion.bsky.social @uclbrainscience.bsky.social. The @uclqsneuromuscular.bsky.social is an amazing place to work and I couldn't have done it without my fantastic team, mentors and collaborators:
www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-scienc...
www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-scienc...
Senior Academic and Early Career Promotions 2024-25
Huge congratulations to the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology staff who have been awarded a promotion in this year's promotions round.
www.ucl.ac.uk
August 12, 2025 at 9:22 PM
It's an honour to become a Professor at such a wonderful institution @uclqsion.bsky.social @uclbrainscience.bsky.social. The @uclqsneuromuscular.bsky.social is an amazing place to work and I couldn't have done it without my fantastic team, mentors and collaborators:
www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-scienc...
www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-scienc...
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
🚨 New #ALS #MND publication from our lab (co-lead @drchayts.bsky.social), in collaboration with Bernát Nógrádi and colleagues from Hungary and Sonia Alonso-Martin and colleagues from Spain, just published in @natcomms.nature.com -> rdcu.be/eyNIs
The CCL2-CCR2 axis drives neuromuscular denervation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Nature Communications - Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are denervated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through unknown mechanisms. Here, the authors show immune cells infiltrating muscle of...
rdcu.be
August 1, 2025 at 4:16 PM
🚨 New #ALS #MND publication from our lab (co-lead @drchayts.bsky.social), in collaboration with Bernát Nógrádi and colleagues from Hungary and Sonia Alonso-Martin and colleagues from Spain, just published in @natcomms.nature.com -> rdcu.be/eyNIs
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
Next UCL ALS-FTD Network Seminars - 25 July at 4pm, Gilliatt LT, QSH.
'Investigating pathomechanisms in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease using mouse models and iPSCs'
'Generation of a universal human cellular platform for drug testing in ALS'
'A forebrain organoid model of progranulin-associated FTD'
'Investigating pathomechanisms in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease using mouse models and iPSCs'
'Generation of a universal human cellular platform for drug testing in ALS'
'A forebrain organoid model of progranulin-associated FTD'
July 9, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Next UCL ALS-FTD Network Seminars - 25 July at 4pm, Gilliatt LT, QSH.
'Investigating pathomechanisms in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease using mouse models and iPSCs'
'Generation of a universal human cellular platform for drug testing in ALS'
'A forebrain organoid model of progranulin-associated FTD'
'Investigating pathomechanisms in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease using mouse models and iPSCs'
'Generation of a universal human cellular platform for drug testing in ALS'
'A forebrain organoid model of progranulin-associated FTD'
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
Microtubule curling as an efficient readout to uncover fundamental concepts of axonal
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
July 3, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Microtubule curling as an efficient readout to uncover fundamental concepts of axonal
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
Delighted that the department has been awarded Gold for Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) 2025. We were commended on the labs signage, management and sustainable initiatives across the whole department.
July 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Delighted that the department has been awarded Gold for Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) 2025. We were commended on the labs signage, management and sustainable initiatives across the whole department.
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
#ResearchResources:
Lots of great free resources for researchers & research students. Thesis planners, goal setting tools, agendas, To-Do lists. Completely customisible and free. No login, no catches. Just download & use. From: buff.ly/2L0YISj #PhDchat #ECRchat #postdoc
Lots of great free resources for researchers & research students. Thesis planners, goal setting tools, agendas, To-Do lists. Completely customisible and free. No login, no catches. Just download & use. From: buff.ly/2L0YISj #PhDchat #ECRchat #postdoc
June 20, 2025 at 1:02 PM
#ResearchResources:
Lots of great free resources for researchers & research students. Thesis planners, goal setting tools, agendas, To-Do lists. Completely customisible and free. No login, no catches. Just download & use. From: buff.ly/2L0YISj #PhDchat #ECRchat #postdoc
Lots of great free resources for researchers & research students. Thesis planners, goal setting tools, agendas, To-Do lists. Completely customisible and free. No login, no catches. Just download & use. From: buff.ly/2L0YISj #PhDchat #ECRchat #postdoc
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
We welcome Volume 247 with this fantastic image from work by Sosa et al. This study provides the first comprehensive description of the hindlimb musculature of the #Emperor #Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) across different ontogenetic stages. doi.org/10.1111/joa....
June 18, 2025 at 11:59 AM
We welcome Volume 247 with this fantastic image from work by Sosa et al. This study provides the first comprehensive description of the hindlimb musculature of the #Emperor #Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) across different ontogenetic stages. doi.org/10.1111/joa....
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
Very excited to share our latest preprint! We looked at loss and gain of function, innervation, reinnervation, and in vivo axonal transport in a FUS-ALS mouse model!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
@uclqsion.bsky.social @beccasimkin.bsky.social @andrewtosolini.bsky.social @frattalab.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
@uclqsion.bsky.social @beccasimkin.bsky.social @andrewtosolini.bsky.social @frattalab.bsky.social
June 18, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Very excited to share our latest preprint! We looked at loss and gain of function, innervation, reinnervation, and in vivo axonal transport in a FUS-ALS mouse model!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
@uclqsion.bsky.social @beccasimkin.bsky.social @andrewtosolini.bsky.social @frattalab.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
@uclqsion.bsky.social @beccasimkin.bsky.social @andrewtosolini.bsky.social @frattalab.bsky.social
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
Calling all Neuroscience postdocs! 🧠 Share your research through SPiNES (Seminars from Postdocs in Neuroscience: Extramural Series) from the NYUGSoM Department of Neuroscience. Applications close 08/20/25. Apply today! 👉 nyumc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
#Neuroscience #Postdoc #ResearchOpportunity
#Neuroscience #Postdoc #ResearchOpportunity
June 15, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Calling all Neuroscience postdocs! 🧠 Share your research through SPiNES (Seminars from Postdocs in Neuroscience: Extramural Series) from the NYUGSoM Department of Neuroscience. Applications close 08/20/25. Apply today! 👉 nyumc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
#Neuroscience #Postdoc #ResearchOpportunity
#Neuroscience #Postdoc #ResearchOpportunity
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
New paper from the lab 🚨: Expansion microscopy reveals nano-scale insights into the human neuromuscular junction: Cell Reports Methods www.cell.com/cell-reports...
Expansion microscopy reveals nano-scale insights into the human neuromuscular junction
Ramadan et al. employ expansion microscopy to visualize neuromuscular junctions in
human and mouse muscles. Their findings demonstrate expansion microscopy as an accessible
and cost-effective approach...
www.cell.com
June 16, 2025 at 2:45 PM
New paper from the lab 🚨: Expansion microscopy reveals nano-scale insights into the human neuromuscular junction: Cell Reports Methods www.cell.com/cell-reports...
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
Registration is now open for NeuroBioUK 2025!
This year we're looking forward to hearing from our plenary speaker @cathyabbott.bsky.social. As ever, all other talks chosen from submitted abstracts so get submitting - we can't wait to see you there!
neurobiouk.sites.sheffield.ac.uk/registration
This year we're looking forward to hearing from our plenary speaker @cathyabbott.bsky.social. As ever, all other talks chosen from submitted abstracts so get submitting - we can't wait to see you there!
neurobiouk.sites.sheffield.ac.uk/registration
June 6, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Registration is now open for NeuroBioUK 2025!
This year we're looking forward to hearing from our plenary speaker @cathyabbott.bsky.social. As ever, all other talks chosen from submitted abstracts so get submitting - we can't wait to see you there!
neurobiouk.sites.sheffield.ac.uk/registration
This year we're looking forward to hearing from our plenary speaker @cathyabbott.bsky.social. As ever, all other talks chosen from submitted abstracts so get submitting - we can't wait to see you there!
neurobiouk.sites.sheffield.ac.uk/registration
Our new paper in Neurobiology of Aging showing that processivity and BDNF-dependent modulation of #AxonalTransport are impaired in aged mice:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@dvillarroelc.bsky.social @andrewtosolini.bsky.social @alessiovagnoni.bsky.social @uclqsion.bsky.social #aging
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@dvillarroelc.bsky.social @andrewtosolini.bsky.social @alessiovagnoni.bsky.social @uclqsion.bsky.social #aging
May 30, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Our new paper in Neurobiology of Aging showing that processivity and BDNF-dependent modulation of #AxonalTransport are impaired in aged mice:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@dvillarroelc.bsky.social @andrewtosolini.bsky.social @alessiovagnoni.bsky.social @uclqsion.bsky.social #aging
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@dvillarroelc.bsky.social @andrewtosolini.bsky.social @alessiovagnoni.bsky.social @uclqsion.bsky.social #aging
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
We are pleased to announce that the @ucl Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre Sixth Hybrid #ALS/#MND International Symposium in Partnership will be held on Friday 5/9/25.
The theme is Translating Targets to Therapies.
To register, click below⬇️
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-queen-...
The theme is Translating Targets to Therapies.
To register, click below⬇️
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-queen-...
UCL Queen Square MND Centre Sixth ALS/MND International Symposium
International Conference, in partnership with the UK MND Research Institute, on ALS / MND -
TRANSLATING TARGETS TO THERAPIES
www.eventbrite.co.uk
May 29, 2025 at 9:05 AM
We are pleased to announce that the @ucl Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre Sixth Hybrid #ALS/#MND International Symposium in Partnership will be held on Friday 5/9/25.
The theme is Translating Targets to Therapies.
To register, click below⬇️
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-queen-...
The theme is Translating Targets to Therapies.
To register, click below⬇️
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-queen-...
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
The last part of our SMA genetics trilogy is now online at iScience @cellpress.bsky.social! Here we use ONT technology to determine SMN2-specific methylation profiles. We find how methylation may regulate SMN with aging but it may not be a great biomarker. Have a look:
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
Comprehensive analysis across SMN2 excludes DNA methylation as an epigenetic biomarker for spinal muscular atrophy
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe neurodegenerative disease caused by defects
in the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. Although disease severity partially correlates
with SMN2 copy number, ...
www.cell.com
April 21, 2025 at 1:29 PM
The last part of our SMA genetics trilogy is now online at iScience @cellpress.bsky.social! Here we use ONT technology to determine SMN2-specific methylation profiles. We find how methylation may regulate SMN with aging but it may not be a great biomarker. Have a look:
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
If you're struggling to visualise mouse NMJs, we've got a protocol just for you!
bio-protocol.org/en/bpdetail?...
Dissection and whole-mount immunofluorescent staining of mouse hind paw muscles for #NMJ analysis
Lovely work from Rebecca Simkin @uclqsion.bsky.social @nicolbirsa.bsky.social
bio-protocol.org/en/bpdetail?...
Dissection and whole-mount immunofluorescent staining of mouse hind paw muscles for #NMJ analysis
Lovely work from Rebecca Simkin @uclqsion.bsky.social @nicolbirsa.bsky.social
May 21, 2025 at 8:41 AM
If you're struggling to visualise mouse NMJs, we've got a protocol just for you!
bio-protocol.org/en/bpdetail?...
Dissection and whole-mount immunofluorescent staining of mouse hind paw muscles for #NMJ analysis
Lovely work from Rebecca Simkin @uclqsion.bsky.social @nicolbirsa.bsky.social
bio-protocol.org/en/bpdetail?...
Dissection and whole-mount immunofluorescent staining of mouse hind paw muscles for #NMJ analysis
Lovely work from Rebecca Simkin @uclqsion.bsky.social @nicolbirsa.bsky.social
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
The longer we have worked on and refined this #microtubule - based model of #neurodegeneration, the more convincing it becomes. It is the fruit of 20 years of work. If you are interested, join my THE CYTOSKELETON OF NEURONS AND GLIA online talk this Thurday: ncytoskeleton.wixsite.com/webinars
May 18, 2025 at 12:52 PM
The longer we have worked on and refined this #microtubule - based model of #neurodegeneration, the more convincing it becomes. It is the fruit of 20 years of work. If you are interested, join my THE CYTOSKELETON OF NEURONS AND GLIA online talk this Thurday: ncytoskeleton.wixsite.com/webinars
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
A 🧵 to walk those interested through this paper...
Online now at @cp-cell.bsky.social , the culmination of a 12-year effort. 🧵 to follow later this evening
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Repeat-element RNAs integrate a neuronal growth circuit
SINEs of recovery: A subset of small RNAs encoded by repetitive genomic elements are
induced by nerve lesion to regulate protein synthesis and enhance axonal growth.
www.cell.com
May 16, 2025 at 4:50 PM
A 🧵 to walk those interested through this paper...
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
Finally! (remember the famous 2022 ASCB poster and Twitter discussion) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Enhanced axonal transport in large vertebrates: KIF5A adaptations in giraffes and pythons
Efficient axonal transport is essential for neuronal function, particularly in species with exceptionally long axons. The Kinesin-1 motor protein KIF5A plays a key role in this process, but whether an...
www.biorxiv.org
May 5, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Finally! (remember the famous 2022 ASCB poster and Twitter discussion) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by James N. Sleigh
🧬✨ Get ready for the UCL Neuroscience Symposium 2025! Join us to explore groundbreaking research and connect with over 600 neuroscientists. Book your place now:
UCL Neuroscience Symposium 2025
The renowned UCL Neuroscience Symposium is celebrating its 16th year.
buff.ly
April 18, 2025 at 10:08 AM
🧬✨ Get ready for the UCL Neuroscience Symposium 2025! Join us to explore groundbreaking research and connect with over 600 neuroscientists. Book your place now:
Yet another very proud supervisor moment - congratulations to Qiuhan Lang for passing her viva with flying colours today!
Thank you very much to examiners @tomgillingwater.bsky.social and Tom Cunningham
Thank you very much to examiners @tomgillingwater.bsky.social and Tom Cunningham
April 4, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Yet another very proud supervisor moment - congratulations to Qiuhan Lang for passing her viva with flying colours today!
Thank you very much to examiners @tomgillingwater.bsky.social and Tom Cunningham
Thank you very much to examiners @tomgillingwater.bsky.social and Tom Cunningham