Yves Barde is a neurobiologist interested in the molecular mechanisms controlling the survival and function of nerve cells, both in development and in diseases. His best known contribution is the discovery and characterization of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a secreted molecule that is essential for the function of the nervous system. BDNF is required during development for the survival of neurons and for synaptic plasticity including memory in the adult brain.
His current work at Cardiff University aims at understanding the role of BDNF in human blood. This project involves the generation of a mouse model replicating the situation in humans with the aim of understanding the benefits of blood-derived BDNF. In collaboration with neurogeneticists at Cardiff University his group is also exploring the possibility of using BDNF and its mRNA in blood as biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases.
Yves was awarded the IPSEN prize, the Ameritec Foundation Award and the Perl-UNC Prize. He is a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization and External Member of the Max-Planck Institute of Neurobiology.
Professional position
- Sêr Cymru Research Chair in Neurobiology, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University
Subject groups
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Molecules of Life
Biochemistry and molecular biology, Cell biology (incl molecular cell biology)
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Cell Biology
Developmental biology
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Multicellular Organisms
Animal (especially mammalian) and human physiology and anatomy (non-clinical), Cellular neuroscience, Development and control of behaviour, Physiology and medicine (non-clinical)
