Stem cell gene therapies
Finding cures for currently untreatable diseases
Our aim is to develop regenerative therapies for people with neurodegenerative disease.
Cell and gene therapies hold much promise for the treatment of human disease. Through employing experimental studies, ranging from basic neuroscience to translational clinical trials, our team explores the medical use of stem cell transplantation and genetic therapies to promote nerve and brain repair.
Our Team
Group Leader
Since completing a PhD in transplantation medicine, Kevin has based both his further research and teaching at University of Bristol. He has pioneered the use of bone marrow stem cell transplantation as a treatment for people with neurodegenerative disease, publishing extensively in the fields of cerebellar ataxias and multiple sclerosis. Kevin works closely with North Bristol NHS Trust neurology consultants and patient charities to permit rapid translational bench-to-bedside research. The current focus of his lab is developing and testing next-generation blood stem cell gene therapies for people with neurodegenerative disease.
Dr. Kevin Kemp
PhD Student
Nicole started her scientific journey undertaking a BSc Medical and Pharmacological Sciences course at Coventry University. To follow her interest in neuroscience, she subsequently completed a MSc Molecular Neuroscience at University of Bristol, researching disease-modifying therapies for people with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). Since graduating in 2020, Nicole has worked in our lab as a research technician, helping to develop gene and stem cell therapies for FA. In April 2023, she has moved to study for a PhD, developing apolipoprotein E- targeted gene therapy for people with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Nicole Jastrzebowska
PhD Student
Bruno received his BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Surrey in 2021, followed by an MSc in Molecular Neuroscience at the University of Bristol. His MSc work involved constructing next-generation viral vectors for gene therapy targeting ataxia-telangiectasia (AT). Joining our lab in 2022 as a Research Technician and Associate, Bruno advanced viral vector technologies and their potential use for neurodegenerative disorder therapies. In April 2024, he embarked on his PhD, dedicated to developing a gene therapy for AT, continuing his impactful research in gene and cell therapies.
Bruno Salomone Gonzalez de Castejon
PhD Student
Manar earned her BSc in Biotechnology from Cairo University in 2011 and has been a lecturer assistant there since 2012. Completing her master’s in 2022, she discovered novel biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Passionate about neuroscience, she is now pursuing a PhD within our lab, aiming to develop brain-targeted gene therapy for Alzheimer’s disease using prime editing technology.
Manar Ibrahim
PhD Student
Ben earned his BSc in Human Biology from Loughborough University and an MSc in Molecular Neuroscience at the University of Bristol, where he studied bone marrow-derived cells in the mouse brain after bone marrow transplant. Since September 2024, he has been pursuing a PhD in our lab, collaborating closely with Dr. Paul Chadderton and Dr. Elisabeth Meyer. Ben investigates how bone marrow stem cells maintain and restore cerebellar function by fusing with Purkinje neurons. His work seeks to understand and manipulate cell fusion as a therapeutic approach for neurodegeneration.
Ben Thewlis
PhD Student
Kunshuan began his BSc in Clinical Medicine at Sun Yat-Sen University in 2018, where he developed an interest in research. He then earned an MSc in Molecular Neuroscience at the University of Bristol. In September 2024, Kunshuan joined our lab as a PhD student, focusing on developing a new therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Using gene editing techniques and ultrasound, he aims to create non-invasive strategies for precise, localized regulation of gene therapy.
Kunshuan Xie
Our Extended Team
Senior Research Associate
Siân undertook her PhD at Queensland Brain Institute, investigating molecular mechanisms underpinning the spread of pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease. Following a move to the University of Bristol, Siân worked on a post-doc project investigating growth factor therapeutics for people with Parkinson’s Disease. She started her research post within our lab in July 2021 and her recent project explored the therapeutic potential of haematopoietic stem cell gene therapy for Friedreich’s Ataxia. Currently, she works within Dr. Claire Rice’s group but still continues collaborating closely with our team.
Dr. Siân Baker
PhD Student
Shash completed her BSc in Neuroscience at Keele University in 2022, where her dissertation explored how heparin and low-molecular-weight heparins interact with the Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene, a key risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). She joined the Kemp team in October 2022 as a Master’s by Research student, focusing on an ApoE-targeted stem cell gene therapy for AD. In early 2024, Shash transitioned to a PhD programme, focusing on characterising microglia in AD under the supervision of Dr. Claire Rice while continuing to collaborate closely with our team.