Louise Serpell

Louise Serpell is a Professor of Biochemistry and Director of Sussex Neuroscience at the University of Sussex since 2010 and 2019 respectively. Her research focuses on structural biology of amyloidogenic proteins in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. She leads a multidisciplinary virtual center with 50 principal investigators and oversees a four-year doctoral program.

• Education: BSc in Biochemistry and Genetics (University of Nottingham, 1989-1992); DPhil in Structural Studies of Amyloid Proteins (University of Oxford, 1992-1995).

Her work spans structural biology, molecular biophysics, and cellular neuroscience, emphasizing amyloid fibril formation, protein misfolding, and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms. She has pioneered high-resolution imaging techniques like synchrotron X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy to elucidate amyloid structures.

Recent research trends include:

• Mechanistic studies of amyloid-beta and tau protein aggregation
• Role of metal catalysis in protein misfolding
• Impact of endosomal-lysosomal dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease
• Development of atomic-resolution models for amyloid nanofibers

Scientific Awards & Recognition:

• Sussex Impact award (2016)
• RED Women’s Awards "Pioneer" category (2013)
• Royal Society University fellowship (2000)
• Two papers cited over 1,000 times (1997, 2000)

She has served on grant panels (BBSRC, UKRI FLF, Alzheimer's Society) and editorial boards (Journal of Molecular Biology, Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences). Her team has supervised 14 PhD students and 12 postdoctoral researchers, with over £5.5M in total grant income. She actively promotes public engagement and equality initiatives, organizing the Rosalind Franklin Women in Science symposium.