Robert Halliwell's Biography

Robert Halliwell, Professor of Neuroscience, University of The Pacific

Robert F. Halliwell completed postgraduate training in neurological science at University College London, in pharmacology at Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, University of Dundee and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Neuroscience at the University of California, Irvine. I previously held a lectureship in Neuroscience at the University of Durham, England and I am currently Professor in Neuroscience in the School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific. I contribute to Schools of Neuroscience in Africa for IBRO; I am a member of the Medical Ethics Committee at St Joseph’s Medical Center, Stockton, CA, and an Advisor on Mental Health for the Wellness Center of San Joaquin County. My laboratory is addressing the properties and value of neurons derived from a variety of human stem cells for studies in neuropharmacology and neurotoxicology; I have also published work in the history of medicine.

Evaluation of Human Stem Cell-derived Neurons for Neuropsychiatric Drug Discovery and Safety Testing

Friday, 5 October 2018 at 09:30

Add to Calendar ▼2018-10-05 09:30:002018-10-05 10:30:00Europe/LondonEvaluation of Human Stem Cell-derived Neurons for Neuropsychiatric Drug Discovery and Safety TestingStem Cells in Drug Discovery and Toxicity Screening 2018 in Coronado Island, CaliforniaCoronado Island, CaliforniaSELECTBIOenquiries@selectbiosciences.com

Studies in neuropharmacology and neurotoxicology have relied extensively on animal models that are inefficient, costly and of poor predictive validity; there are also ethical concerns about using large numbers of animals in biomedical research. Developments in stem cell science have provided new opportunities to generate human neurons from stem cells but characterization of these cells is still at an early stage.

Our lab is investigating several sources of adult (somatic) stem, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) and embryonic stem (ES) cells to differentiate into functional human neurons. We are using patch-clamp electrophysiology, immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry to determine the neuropharmacological and neurophysiological properties of neurons derived from iPS and somatic stem cells. In addition, we are addressing the potential value of these human stem cells in vitro to predict developmental neurotoxicity that can occur in vivo through exposure to environmental agents and therapeutic medicines, including anticonvulsant drugs.

Our results will illustrate the value of stem cell-derived neurons in the discovery and development of new neuropsychiatric medicines and in the evaluation of their safety.

Add to Calendar ▼2018-10-04 00:00:002018-10-05 00:00:00Europe/LondonStem Cells in Drug Discovery and Toxicity Screening 2018Stem Cells in Drug Discovery and Toxicity Screening 2018 in Coronado Island, CaliforniaCoronado Island, CaliforniaSELECTBIOenquiries@selectbiosciences.com

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