Peter St George-Hyslop is a medical scientist, neurologist and molecular geneticist who is distinguished for his research into neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In particular, he discovered several genes that when mutated lead to early onset hereditary AD, accelerating our understanding the disease and the development of potential treatments.
His discovery that defective genes encoding presenilins are a cause of familial AD led to presenilins becoming a new target for treatments. He went on to show that mutated presenilins contribute to the generation of the amyloid beta protein — deposition of which is the earliest sign of AD in those carrying such genes. His work on several other neurodegeneration-related genes and proteins (including SORLA, TREM2, FUS) has led to an understanding of the role of vesicular transport, inflammation and perturbed RNA granule biology.
Peter has led an AD research programme as Professor of Experimental Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge since 2007. He was awarded the Howard Hughes Medical Institute International Scholar Award in both 1997 and 2002, and has received several other notable awards.
Professional position
- Professor of Experimental Neuroscience, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge
- Director, Tanz Centre for Research In Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto
Subject groups
- Health and human sciences
Clinical neuroscience
- Biochemistry and molecular cell biology
Biophysics and structural biology, Cell biology (incl molecular cell biology)
Awards
Dan David Prize
In the field of combating memory loss.
