Gillian Bates
Encyclopedia
Gillian Patricia Bates FMedSci FRS
is a British biologist. She is distinguished for her research into the molecular basis of Huntington's disease
. As of 2009, she is Professor of Neurogenetics in the Medical and Molecular Genetics Department of King's College London
.
. She was one of the group who first cloned the Huntington's disease gene
. She also created the first mouse model of the disease, the R6/2 mouse, an important step in understanding the pathogenesis of Huntington's.
(1999) and of the Royal Society
(2007), as well as a member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (2002). In 1998, she was awarded the Royal Society Glaxo Wellcome Award jointly with Stephen Davies, for the "discovery of the cause of Huntington's Disease".
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
is a British biologist. She is distinguished for her research into the molecular basis of Huntington's disease
Huntington's disease
Huntington's disease, chorea, or disorder , is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline and dementia. It typically becomes noticeable in middle age. HD is the most common genetic cause of abnormal involuntary writhing movements called chorea...
. As of 2009, she is Professor of Neurogenetics in the Medical and Molecular Genetics Department of King's College London
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
.
Research
Bates's research has focused on Huntington's diseaseHuntington's disease
Huntington's disease, chorea, or disorder , is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline and dementia. It typically becomes noticeable in middle age. HD is the most common genetic cause of abnormal involuntary writhing movements called chorea...
. She was one of the group who first cloned the Huntington's disease gene
Huntingtin
The Huntingtin gene, also called HTT or HD gene, is the IT15 gene which codes for a protein called the huntingtin protein...
. She also created the first mouse model of the disease, the R6/2 mouse, an important step in understanding the pathogenesis of Huntington's.
Awards and honours
Bates has been elected a fellow of the Academy of Medical SciencesAcademy of Medical Sciences
The Academy of Medical Sciences is the United Kingdom's national academy of medical sciences. It was established in 1998 on the recommendation of a group that was chaired by Michael Atiyah. Its president is John Irving Bell....
(1999) and of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
(2007), as well as a member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (2002). In 1998, she was awarded the Royal Society Glaxo Wellcome Award jointly with Stephen Davies, for the "discovery of the cause of Huntington's Disease".