Dr. Eric Downer

My research lies at the intersection of neuroscience and immunology, addressing one of the most important questions in medicine: how cross-talk between the nervous and immune systems drive disease progression and patient outcomes? My work focuses on Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a complex neurological disorder in which the immune system plays a central role in damaging the nervous system.

Since starting my own lab in 2013, my goal has been to conduct patient-orientated research. I have achieved this by working with patient cohorts across six hospital sites via an extensive network of clinical and industry collaborators across Europe and North America. Through this patient-oriented research, I have demonstrated how inflammation in immune cells relates to clinically meaningful outcomes, including disease progression, cognitive decline, pain and depression. Fundamentally this work is uncovering biological mechanisms that drive symptoms and long-term disability, enabling the identification of new therapeutic targets that can improve patient quality of life.

In terms of therapeutic targets a major pillar of my research is the development of cannabinoid-based therapeutics. With over two decades of experience in cannabinoid research, I have established my lab as a leading centre for patient-focused cannabinoid research in Europe. This is supported by investment of several large Pharma partners from the USA and UK in my lab. This research, examining how cannabinoids influence innate immune responses and disease symptoms in patient immune cells, has influenced policy changes at government level in terms of access to medicines, and has contributed to new therapeutics available for patients.

As Professor (In), I will move towards transformational research in my field and have commenced this by ensuring a diversified grant income stream for my group. Indeed, I am currently leading a European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder Challenge under the HORIZON-EIC-2026-PATHFINDER CHALLENGES, which includes a consortium of seven leading international partners in drug discovery, including Rockefeller University USA, Karolinska Institute Sweden, Helmholtz Munich Germany, Khumbu AI Ltd Germany, University of Oxford UK, Decatail Ltd Ireland, Technical University of Munich Germany. This includes patient advocacy groups, industry, clinicians, and health economists to develop a new therapeutic characterised in my lab for the treatment of age-related disorders of the nervous system. This is for submission to HORIZON in October 2026. As Professor (In), I will expand my research group by building and leading further international consortia to ensuring a diversified grant income stream for my group.