Dan Sillence

Dan Sillence is a Reader in Cell Biology at De Montfort University, affiliated with the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and the Leicester School of Pharmacy. His research focuses on lysosomal storage diseases, particularly Niemann-Pick type C and Gaucher diseases, with a strong emphasis on sphingolipid metabolism and neurodegeneration.

His educational background includes a BSc and PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Dundee.

• BSc, Biochemistry, University of Dundee
• PhD, Biochemistry, University of Dundee

Dan Sillence's research interests lie at the intersection of cell biology and pharmacology, particularly in understanding how glycosphingolipid accumulation leads to neuropathology in lysosomal diseases. His work explores substrate deprivation strategies, lysosomal pH regulation, and the role of lipids in signal transduction and membrane trafficking. He employs techniques such as metabolomics, molecular modeling, and biochemical assays to uncover disease mechanisms and identify biomarkers.

His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on sphingolipid dysregulation in neurodegenerative conditions, with particular attention to endolysosomal dysfunction, the impact of antidepressants on brain sphingolipids, and molecular insights into Niemann-Pick disease. These works span disciplines including neuroscience, biochemistry, pharmacology, and computational biology.

He has received notable recognition including the Marie Curie Research Fellowship and the Peter Jones Carlton Memorial Award for developing new therapies for Niemann-Pick C disease.

• Marie Curie Research Fellow, ‘Transbilayer flipping of sphingolipids’ EU, (2000)
• Peter Jones Carlton memorial award (2006) for new therapy for Niemann-Pick C disease

Dan Sillence has successfully secured multiple research grants as Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-PI from organizations such as HEIF, SPARKS, and the Beyond Batten Disease Foundation, supporting projects on biomarker discovery, lysosomal disease modeling, and sphingolipid function. He has supervised numerous PhD and postdoctoral researchers, contributing significantly to training the next generation of scientists in lysosomal disease research. His work is closely tied to collaborative networks, including the Interdisciplinary Global Lysosomal Diseases Metabolomics Research Group.

He is a member of professional societies such as the American Society for Molecular Biology and has served on editorial boards of journals including 'Universal Journal of Medical Science' and 'International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology'.