Next 24 article - MS research in the city of dreaming spires

MS research in the 'city of dreaming spires'
 

"Oxford is known for its scientific excellence and it has been a privilege to meet and work with such outstanding scientists," said Dr Morahan. "It has been great for me to have access to the newest technology and ideas that are available here."

Dr Morahan already had an impressive track record in genetic research having previously led the Stacey Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Molecular Biology Laboratory at the University of Sydney. Her expertise in the tools of genetics and molecular biology allowed her to cross easily into the MS field.

Two years into the Fellowship, Dr Morahan’s research is progressing exceptionally well with three research papers published just this year. Prof Ebers is enthusiastic about Dr Morahan’s contribution. "Her work is at the centre of terrific new developments in the epigenetics of MS. We are delighted to have her working with us."

Unlike the IMSGC research which has identified 57 genes which predispose people to MS (see cover story), Dr Morahan’s focus is on the identification of epigenetic changes which lie outside the DNA sequence. These epigenetic changes are generally thought to be involved in regulating whether a gene is switched on or off.

One such mechanism is methylation of DNA – in which a small chemical ‘tag’ is added to a gene. Methyl tags play a role in silencing genes across tissue types and can be involved in pathological processes. Dr Morahan aims to identify the role of methylation on the genetic region which confers the highest risk of MS: the major histocompatibility complex or MHC class II region.

Identical twins provide an ideal way to study how epigenetic changes affect disease susceptibility, their DNA sequences are identical but can differ in their epigenetic ‘tags’.

Prof Ebers is a leading researcher in the Canadian Collaborative Project on Genetic Susceptibility to Multiple Sclerosis. As part of this project, large numbers of twin pairs have been identified in which both have MS or only one has MS (discordant).

"Working with such a well established cohort of patient samples has allowed us to detect some interesting differences in the discordant twin pairs, particularly at two locations within the MHC class II gene region," said Dr Morahan. "I now need to study the functional impact of these changes to establish how they might affect gene regulation and the development of MS."

Her obvious dedication and excellent progress in the laboratory has not stopped Dr Morahan from enjoying the beauty and history of the ‘city of dreaming spires’.

"I am very grateful to both MSRA and the MS Society of UK for giving me this opportunity. It has been very constructive to experience the international nature of science." 

To view the other articles in Next 24, please click on the link below

• Multiple genes for multiple sclerosis
• MS research in the 'city of dreaming spires' (article above)
• F5m+ is a new beginning
• Wilder about fundraising
• F5m+ ensuring the best research projects will be funded
• Top 5 FAQs at the MSRA Brain Bank
• Find an MS trial on our improved website
• Broken Hill Family Fun Day

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