XClose

UCL Media Relations

Menu

Find an Expert

Our database lists UCL academics who are happy to be contacted by the media in relation to their area of research and expertise. Many speak different languages.
How to use the database

If you already know who you want to speak to, you can search the database for a specific expert's name. Alternatively, you can use the system to find somebody with a particular area of expertise (e.g. stress, obesity, climate change), or browse through all experts from a specific faculty or department.

Search tips

As you type in either the 'Area of Expertise' or 'Name' search boxes, predictive text will suggest search terms to you. If you use these suggested terms you are guaranteed to find relevant profiles. Alternatively, you can browse all of the profiles in the database by using the A-Z listings at the bottom of the page.

More search options are available by clicking the 'Advanced Search' link in the top right-hand corner.

Out of hours availability

Some experts can be contacted by the UCL Media Relations team outside normal office hours. If you need to speak to one of these, simply tick the box to 'show only experts with out of hours availability'. Once you've found who you want to speak to, call UCL Media Relations on +44 (0) 7917 271 364 and we will try to put you in touch.

Please note that this service is only for journalists with urgent out-of-hours media enquiries. It should not be used by patients or members of the public.


If you can't find the expert you are looking for, please contact UCL Media Relations on +44 (0)20 7679 9041 or find our full team’s contact details here

UCL academics can register for the database by following the instructions here

Call this expert directly on +44 (0)20 7679 3351

Available out of hours. Contact the Media Relations Team +44 (0)20 7679 9041 or +44 (0)7917 271 364

Professor Kristjan Jessen

Professor Kristjan Jessen, BSc, MSc, PhD

Emeritus Professor of Cellular & Developmental Biology

Department : Cell & Developmental Biology

Faculty : Faculty of Life Sciences

Address : E6060 SIXTH FLOOR
MNH GOSH (4 ROOMS)
GREAT ORMOND STREET
LONDON
WC1N 3JH

Languages spoken fluently (other than English) : Icelandic

+44 (0)20 7679 3351

Expert's Details expand all sections Expand Allcollapse all sections Collapse All

collapse section Keywords:

collapse section Research Interests, Expertise and Groups:

Our work focuses on peripheral nerves, their development, response to damage and on their ability to regererate following injury. We are perticularily intrested in the glial cells (Schwann cells) that surround the neurites (axons) of nerves and support neuronal development, enable neurites to transmitt information and to regenerate after damage. We are also interested in genetic diseases of Schwann cells that destroy the insulating sheaths (myelin) that many Schwann cells form around axons.

Research groups:

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/jessenmirsky/

Research publications:

Woodhoo A, Duran Alonso MB, Droggiti A, Turmaine M, D’Antonio M, Parkinson DB, Wilton DK, R Al-Shawi, P Simons, J Shen, F Guillemot, F Radtke, Meijer D, Feltri ML, Wrabetz L, Mirsky R, Jessen KR. (2009) Notch controls embryonic Schwann cell differentiation, postnatal myelination and adult plasticity. Nature Neurosci 12: 839-847.

Jessen KR, Mirsky R.(2008) Negative regulation of myelination: relevance for development, injury, and demyelinating disease. Glia 56:1552-65.

Mirsky R and Jessen KR Development of Schwann cells. In: The New Encyclopedia of Neuroscience, Elsevier on-line.

Mirsky R, Woodhoo A, Parkinson DB, Arthur-Farraj P, Bhaskaran A and Jessen KR (2008) Novel signals controlling embryonic Schwann cell development, myelination and dedifferentiation. J Peripher Nerv Syst 13:122-135.

Agudo M, Woodhoo A, Webber D, Mirsky R, Jessen KR and McMahon SB (2008) Schwann cell precursors transplanted into the injured spinal cord multiply, integrate and are permissive for axon growth. Glia 56:1263-1270.

Parkinson DB, Bhaskaran A, Arthur-Farraj P, Noon LA, Woodhoo A, Lloyd AC, Feltri ML, Wrabetz L, Behrens A, Mirsky R and Jessen KR (2008) c-Jun is a negative regulator of myelination. J Cell Biol 181:625-637.

Personal web address: None specified

collapse section Professional Affiliations and Appointments:

None specified

collapse section Media Experience:

Print Yes

Example news stories:

None specified

Example video clips:

None specified

New Search