Research
Research Biography
I started my research career in 1995
focusing on clinical characterisation of mitochondrial diseases (such as
Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy). In 2000-2007 my research was
based on a diagnostic service in Munich, and I focused on identifying
the primary cause in a high number of patients with different types of
mitochondrial disease, but also to study basic disease mechanisms.
Based on my diagnostic experience in Germany I was able to define the phenotype of a group of patients, small children exhibiting severe mitochondrial disease due to mitochondrial translation defects or coenzyme Q10 deficiencies, which has become my research area more recently.
Research Interests
The main focus of my research
is to identify the molecular basis of disease and to develop treatments
for patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. The underlying
genetic defect in many of these patients remains unknown and there are
no effective treatments. One direction of my research is to study a
large group of children with severe mitochondrial disease to identify
novel disease genes.
I have recently received funding for studying a
unique mitochondrial condition: reversibe infantile cytochrome c oxidase
(COX) deficiency. Most mitochondrial diseases are progressive
conditions however this syndrome stands out by showing spontaneous
recovery. Finding a clearly pathogenic homoplasmic mtDNA mutation in
this reversible mitochondrial disease offers a new paradigm of mtDNA
pathogenesis.
My research focuses on studying this unique disease to unveil factors that are important in other mitochondrial disease. A better understanding of the compensatory factors will offer important clues towards molecular therapies.
As a clinican, I have started
and developed a new clinical service over the last 3 years in Newcastle
for a large group of patients with inherited peripheral neuropathies
(Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, CMT).
The better characterisation of the clinical phenotypes, the improvement of next generation sequencing techniques enables us to identify the primary genetic cause in a much higher number of patients with CMT. This patient cohort will be a base for expanding my research activities and the base of further grant applications to start a new area of research in Newcastle.
Contacts and links
Professor of Neurogenetics
rita.horvath@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: 01912 418855
John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre
Newcastle University
International Centre for Life
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 3BZ