About the Prion Unit
About Us

About the Prion Unit

The Institute undertakes ground-breaking research and is one of the world’s leading research centres for the study of prion disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Study at the Prion Unit
Study at the Prion Unit

Study at the Prion Unit

Our programmes let students explore prion biology and neurodegeneration through genetics, cell and molecular biology, structural biology, protein biochemistry, therapeutics, and clinical research.

Research
Research

Research

Our research programmes are highly multidisciplinary and focus both on areas of public health concern and on long-term approaches to the understanding of prion diseases.

National Prion Clinic
National Prion Clinic

National Prion Clinic

The National Prion Clinic (NPC) is the national referral centre for prion disease and is part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH).

News

MRC Prion Unit at UCL and National Prion Clinic Open Day 2025
MRC Prion Unit at UCL and National Prion Clinic Open Day 2025

MRC Prion Unit at UCL and National Prion Clinic Open Day 2025

18 Mar 2025

A competition of molecules: Natural Selection in its tiniest form
A competition of molecules: Natural Selection in its tiniest form

A competition of molecules: Natural Selection in its tiniest form

Prion Protein (PrP) is a normal protein found in healthy cells, though its exact role is not yet clear. However, when this protein changes shape into a misfolded form, it becomes infectious and is lin

21 Feb 2025

Distinguished medical researcher Professor Michael Alpers has died
Distinguished medical researcher Professor Michael Alpers has died

Distinguished medical researcher Professor Michael Alpers has died

We are very sad to announce the death of Professor Michael Alpers, a long-time collaborator and close friend to many at the MRC Prion Unit and Institute of Prion Diseases at UCL.

19 Dec 2024