Dr James Dillon

Over 1000 genes have been identified as being associated with autism. Many have been identified from genome wide association studies and there is relatively little understanding of how changes in a large proportion of these identified genes bring about dysfunction within the nervous system to cause autism.  

James’ current research seeks to address this knowledge gap using the invertebrate model organism C. elegans. This simple nematode offers a powerful genetic system for the introduction of precise genomic edits into orthologous genes identified as being associated with autism, using CRISPR-Cas9 based approaches. James’ research has developed a pipeline for the investigation of genes associated with autism and has revealed interesting candidates that function within epigenetic and lipid signalling pathways. These candidates are currently being investigated combining approaches in C. elegans with biochemical and imaging approaches in neuronal cell culture lines.            

Another branch of James’ current research is a collaboration with the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples to characterise the molecular and cellular components of the nociception and pain pathways in Octopus Vulgaris. The research will take a model hopping approach to functionally validate candidate nociceptor genes identified form Octopus Vulgaris using transgenic approaches in C. elegans.   

James’ other research interests include alcohol addiction. His research has combined pharmacological, electrophysiological and molecular genetic approaches in C. elegans to further understands the neural substrates of alcohol addiction and this has involved interdisciplinary collaborations with engineering and computer sciences at the University of Southampton.