Dr Oliver Bartley

Dr Oliver Bartley (Oly) is a senior postdoctoral research scientist in Cardiff University's Brain Repair Group, where he is developing stem cell-based research for Huntington's disease. At the heart of his work is an effort to recreate the brain cells most vulnerable to the condition (striatal medium spiny neurons, or MSNs) using human pluripotent stem cells. Using state-of-the-art sequencing technologies to understand these cells, Oly is working to create a high-quality, accessible cell source that can serve a dual purpose: as a cell replacement therapy for transplantation into patients to restore damaged brain regions, and to equip researchers with a valuable tool to drive forward the broader biomedical research for Huntington's disease treatments. As a member of the HD Center in Wales committee, Oly is passionate about fostering collaboration between research disciplines, to bring about meaningful advances in Huntington's disease research.