Jan 2006-present University of Sheffield Chair of Translational Neuroscience

2003 – 2005 Oxford Biomedica Ltd, Oxford Director of Neurobiology

2000 – 2003 Oxford Biomedica Ltd, Oxford Senior Scientist

1997 - 2000 Gene Therapy Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland Postdoctoral Position

1993 - 1997 University Louis Pasteur of Strasbourg, France Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology

Professor Azzouz has a long-standing interest in developing gene therapy approaches for neurodegenerative diseases. Azzouz’ team utilises viral based gene transfer systems both for research and gene therapy applications. Such viral systems have included lentiviruses and adeno-associated vectors. His research focuses on developing new therapeutic strategies for monogenic neuromuscular disorders (e.g. SMA) and other motor neuron diseases (e.g. ALS and SMA) and Parkinson’s disease. He also collaborates with other groups looking at new experimental approaches to treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosisParkinson’s disease. Members of the team are also investigating molecular pathways and signalling of motor neuron death associated with ALS and SMA.

Nanou N, Higginbottom A, Valori C.F., Wyles M., Ning K., Shaw P, Azzouz M. Viral delivery of antioxidant genes as a therapeutic strategy in experimental models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Molecular Therapy 21(8):1486-96. (2013) doi: 10.1038/mt.2013.115. Kirby J., Ning K., Ferraiuolo L., Heath P.R., Ismail A., Kuo S-W., Cox L., Sharrack B., Wharton S.B., Ince P.G., Shaw PJ., Azzouz M. PTEN/Akt pathway linked to motor neuron survival in human SOD1-related amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain, 134(Pt 2):506-17 (2011). C. F. Valori, K. Ning, M. Wyles, R. J. Mead, A. J. Grierson, P. J. Shaw, M. Azzouz, Systemic delivery of scAAV9 expressing SMN prolongs survival in a model of spinal muscular atrophy . Sci.Transl. Med. 2, 35ra42 (2010). Ning K, Drepper C, Valori C, Wyles M, Higginbottom A, Shaw P, Azzouz M*, Sendtner M*. PTEN depletion rescues axonal growth defect and improve survival in SMN-deficient motor neurons. Human Molecular Genetics, 19 (16):3159-68 (2010)(* joint senior authors). Jarraya B, Drouot X, Brouillet E, Condé F, Azzouz M, Kingsman SM, Hantraye P, Mazarakis ND & Palfi S. Dopamine Gene Therapy for Parkinson´s Disease in a Nonhuman Primate Without Associated Dyskinesia. Sci. Transl Med. 1 (2):2ra4. (2009)