Lupus

Brain disease is a serious and common problem in lupus, but it’s molecular basis is still an unknown. This means there are no specific therapies available to stop the brain being damaged by lupus.

Dr Hunt’s research is dedicated to what he describes as the neglected field of lupus brain disease. His long-term aim is to develop effective therapies personalised to each patient. His lab has already made progress by showing that it may be possible to combine results of a super-sensitive blood-test with images from brain scans in order to follow how lupus-related brain disease develops. This information could be used to design clinical trials aimed at preventing brain damage.

Dr Hunt will use the Emerging Leaders Prize funds to purchase equipment that can detect single protein molecules, to help develop precise tests of the molecular pathways involved in lupus brain disease and measure how the brain is affected. The facility will be available, with full technical support, to researchers across the UK working on lupus or related disorders.

Dr Hunt will also use the funds to develop collaborations with other countries working in the research field, to accelerate the research agenda for lupus brain disease research.