Lay summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune neurological disorder affecting 1:1,000 New Zealanders. Oligodendrocytes are cells that produce an insulating sheath called myelin which is required for efficient neuron-to-neuron communication. Oligodendrocytes and myelin are attacked in MS and this leads to the accumulated disability seen in MS. Promoting the ability for oligodendrocytes to re-myelinate affected neurons has potential as a disease-modifying treatment for MS. I have established novel technology that allows the generation of adult human oligodendrocytes from human skin cells. This research will use this technology to develop a human oligodendrocyte model of MS and generate the first NZ-based MS skin cell repository. This research will enable the future identification of therapeutic targets and the testing of treatments with improved clinical translation. It also has potential as a disease-modifying treatment for MS. Together our research will contribute to the greater MS research field and ultimately benefit the MS community.