The Epilepsy Research Institute is pleased to share that three of our theme leads have been awarded significant funding from the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA). These awards will support potentially transformative projects designed to address some of the most pressing neurological and neuropsychiatric challenges, with a specific focus on epilepsy.
The three grants, totalling approximately £18m, have been awarded to:
- Professor Gabriele Lignani, Basic Science Co-Lead (Advanced Therapeutics & Disease Modification)
- Dr Rob Wykes, Basic Science Co-Lead (Mortality, Morbidity & Risk)
- Dr Richard Rosch, Early Career Co-Lead (Enabling Technologies)
These awards highlight the Institute’s commitment to fostering collaboration across disciplines, securing strategic funding, and prioritising innovation to ensure that cutting-edge neurological research remains firmly on the political agenda.
About ARIA
ARIA (Advanced Research and Invention Agency) is a UK government-funded body investing in high-risk, high-reward projects that aim to deliver paradigm-shifting technological advancements. ARIA is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
The Epilepsy Research Institute is delighted to be part of this pioneering wave of innovation, advancing research that could transform the lives of millions affected by epilepsy worldwide.
Find out more about each of the awarded projects below.
Project title: Minimally invasive self-regulating gene therapy for neuropsychiatric disorders
Gabriele Lignani, University College London
Team: Dimitri Kullmann, Eleonora Lugara, University College London | Richard Rosch, King’s College London | Jerzy Szablowski, Rice University | Mikhail Shapiro, California Institute of Technology
This project aims to develop advanced gene therapies to stabilise brain activity and treat conditions such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, and dementia. By using focused ultrasound, the team plans to deliver treatments non-invasively through the blood-brain barrier, providing long-lasting benefits with minimal side effects.
Project title: NEUROBOT: Neural Microbots for Closed Loop Modulation
Hadi Heidari, University of Glasgow
Team: Rob Wykes, University of Manchester | Rupam Das, University of Exeter | Andrew Jackson, Newcastle University | Luca Berdondini, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia | Maria Cerezo Sanchez, Neurobite Technologies
This project will create tiny neural robots (neurobots) to improve epilepsy treatment. These neurobots are designed to deliver precise, personalised therapies that adapt to the patient’s needs, avoiding the side effects and disruptions caused by traditional brain stimulation methods.
Project title: Blood-brain-barrier crossing cell-type specific AAVs to interface with the brain
Karl Brune, Navira Ltd
Team: Daniele Cervettini, Navira Ltd | Dimitri Kullmann, Gabriele Lignani, University College London
This project aims to develop a safer, more effective way to deliver gene therapies to the brain. By creating tools that cross the blood-brain barrier, the team hopes to replace invasive procedures with a simple intravenous approach, enabling more precise treatments for brain disorders.