Philip Chen

Dr. Philip Chen is a Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at the Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London. He is affiliated with the Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and serves as a Representative for The Physiological Society. His research focuses on molecular pharmacology of N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors, exploring how subunit domains and associated proteins influence receptor function and neurodegenerative processes.

Research Interests:

• Mechanisms of NMDAR pharmacology and signaling
• Role of NR1 and NR2 subunits in receptor function
• Impact of intracellular proteins on NMDAR-mediated cell death
• Therapeutic strategies against NMDAR overactivity-induced neurotoxicity

Projects & Grants:

• Motor Neurone Disease Association: 2012–2015 – Antisense oligonucleotide strategy for RNA editing in motor neurons
• SouthWest London Academic Network: 2010–2013 – Glutamatergic signaling and DRIPs in psychiatric disorders
• Royal Society: 2009–2010 – NMDAR C-terminal domains and cell death

Recent Activities:

Delivered an invited talk in July 2023 on ADAR2 splicing strategies, with significant academic and public engagement (67 Mendeley readers, Wikipedia references).

Labs & Affiliations:

His lab employs molecular, biochemical, and functional methods to study NMDAR pharmacology and contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and neurological research.