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Ed Birt

PhD Student

Systems-Approached Models of Neurodegeneration

Techniques

Advanced microscopy & imaging, Bioinformatics, CRISPR, Genomics, Lipidomics, Stem cells / iPSCs, Structural biology

Biography

Edward is a PhD researcher at the UK Dementia Research Institute, Cardiff University. He grew up in Gloucester and studied Biochemistry at Newcastle University before completing an MSc in Human and Molecular Genetics at the University of Sheffield. Prior to his PhD, he worked as a Genetic Technologist at Bristol’s Genomics Laboratory, gaining experience in clinical genomics within regulated healthcare environments.


His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease, driven in part by his own experience with neurological conditions. Alongside his academic work, Edward is actively involved in community engagement through table tennis, serving as President of Cardiff University Table Tennis Club and supporting sessions for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.

Honours & awards

Public and Patient Involvement Award, UKDRI 2025

Research interest

Edward investigates how genetic variation in membrane proteins contributes to neurodegenerative disease. His work focuses on ATP8B4, a P4-ATPase lipid flippase, exploring how alterations in membrane lipid organisation influence cellular function in brain immune cells (microglia). He combines computational modelling with genetically engineered human stem cell systems to link molecular changes to cellular behaviour. By integrating predictive simulations with experimental validation, he develops systems-based approaches to study complex biological processes and disease mechanisms.