Dr Simon Bell
BSc(Hons), MB ChB, MRCP, PG Dip, PhD.
Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health
Senior Clinical Lecturer
Honorary Consultant Neurologist
Full contact details
Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health
91Ö±²¥ Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN)
385a Glossop Road
91Ö±²¥
S10 2HQ
- Profile
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My interest in Neurosciences and Alzheimer’s disease started whilst performing my undergraduate medical studies at Bristol University. Here I intercalated in Neuroscience under the supervision of Dr Shelly Allen-Burt, Dr David Dawbarn, and Professor Seth Love. For my BSc I characterised the Bondi Body, a pathological aggregate found within the Choroid Plexus, which is seen in increased numbers in Alzheimer’s disease.
After qualifying in Medicine I did junior doctor jobs in Gloucester, Bristol, Leeds and Brisbane Australia. I gained clinical experience in Neurology, Neurosurgery and Stroke Medicine and research experience at the University of Leeds where I performed a post-graduate diploma in Health Research. On completion of my junior doctor jobs and after passing my Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP), I took up a Neurology Speciality Training post in 91Ö±²¥ and continued my research into Alzheimer’s disease, with an Alzheimer Research UK (ARUK) preparatory Clinical Fellowship, and NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship.
My Wellcome 4ward North PhD Fellowship analysed the metabolism of astrocytes and other cell types in Alzheimer’s disease using an induced Neuronal Progenitor Cell model system (supervisors Dr Heather Mortiboys, Dr Laura Ferraiuolo, Dr Daniel Blackburn and Professor Stephen Wharton). I wish to understand how metabolic abnormalities, specifically those seen in mitochondria, effect neuronal support and might contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
I am currently a NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Neurology focusing on developing the understanding of dysfunctional metabolism in dementia and how this may be developed into future treatments and biomarkers for the disease.
- Research interests
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My research focuses on analysing the metabolism of astrocytes and other cell types in Alzheimer’s disease using an induced Neuronal Progenitor Cell model systems and other model systems. I wish to understand how metabolic abnormalities in astrocytes, specifically those seen in mitochondria, effect neuronal support and might contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Publications
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- Grants
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Grants Awarded
- Alzheimer Research UK Small Project Grant (Awarded January 2019)
- 91Ö±²¥ BRC NIHR Consumables Grand (Awarded December 2018)
- Wellcome 4ward North PhD Clinical Fellowship (Awarded August 2018) PI
- Alzheimer Research UK Small Project Grant (Awarded May 2017)
- Alzheimer Research UK Preparatory Clinical Fellowship (Awarded September 2016). PI
- Travel Bursary 91Ö±²¥ University (Awarded July 2016)
- 91Ö±²¥ Neurology Department PG Development Grant (Awarded September 2014). PI
Awards and Prizes:
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Oral presentation prize PPE event - Awarded best oral presentation by a group of scientists and people with AD June 2018
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2nd Prize for Poster Presentation UDCA as a treatment for AD - Received at the Yorkshire Clinical Academic Presentation Day July 2018.
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Highly Commended Poster prize at the National Foundation Doctors Presentation Day, Bristol - An audit I supervised was presented as a poster and won a commendation. June 2016.
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The Dean’s Prize for Music, Art and Drama - Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bristol, UK 2008
- Teaching interests
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I am the module lead for the Neurodegeneration module which forms part of the MSc in Clinical Neurology. I teach MSc students on the Masters courses in Clinical Neurology and Translational Neuroscience. I teach medical students of all levels and teach junior doctors neurological examination and PACES examination technique. I Supervise MSc Research Projects on both the clinical neurology and translational neurosciences courses.
- Professional activities and memberships
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- ARUK Yorkshire Early Career Representative
- ARUK Deep Dementia Phenotyping (DEMON) Network Yorkshire Representative
- European Academy of Neurology Dementia Scientific Panel Junior Member
- Member of the Royal College of Physicians (London)
- Member of the Association of British Neurologists
- Member of the Alzheimer Research UK Yorkshire Network
- Student rep for year 2 intake 4ward North Clinical Academy
- Member of the South Yorkshire Interest Group in Dementia.
- Member of Special Interest Group in Cognitive Disorders – Association of British Neurologists
- Current Projects
- Developing a induced Neuronal Progenitor Cell (iNPCs) model of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Characterising astrocyte metabolic deficits in sporadic and familial AD to identify new therapeutic targets.
- Identifying correlations between clinical biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease and metabolic abnormalities seen in different cell types taken from patients with the condition.
- Sub-Investigator MIROCALS clinical trial.