Helen Brooks

Helen Brooks was previously a Volunteer Writer at BioNews, having originally joined the publication under the auspices of its writing scheme. She is currently studying for a PhD in Neuroscience at King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, where her research is funded by the Medical Research Council and conducted in the Batten Disease/Paediatric Storage Disorders Laboratory. She is investigating a possible stem cell therapy for late infantile batten disease, a rare neurological disorder, finding out what happens to stem cells once they are grafted into the brain. Previously, she obtained a BSc in Biochemistry and then an MSc in Stem Cell Technology from the University of Nottingham. She has also written for the Stem Cell Technology from the London Student.
BioNews Review articles written by Helen Brooks:
BioNews News articles written by Helen Brooks:
Study counters Parkinson's disease gene theory |
25 March 2013 - by Helen Brooks |
An experimental approach to treating Parkinson's disease may need to be reconsidered following evidence suggesting that it may make patients worse... [Read More] |
Mutation in immune response gene linked to Alzheimer's disease |
19 November 2012 - by Helen Brooks |
A single genetic mutation increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by threefold, say scientists from two independent research groups... [Read More] |
Father's age strongest predictor of genetic mutations |
28 August 2012 - by Helen Brooks |
Children of older fathers inherit more genetic mutations than those of younger fathers, according to Icelandic scientists.... [Read More] |
Genetic regions that are major risk factors for osteoarthritis identified |
9 July 2012 - by Helen Brooks |
Scientists have identified eight regions of the genetic code associated with an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis... [Read More] |
Smoking and drinking have little impact on sperm quality but wearing tight pants does, study finds |
18 June 2012 - by Helen Brooks |
An unhealthy lifestyle may not affect sperm quality as much as previously thought. A study in the journal Human Reproduction indicates that smoking, high alcohol consumption and being overweight all have little effect on semen quality... [Read More] |
Heart failure patients' skin cells turned into beating heart muscle |
28 May 2012 - by Helen Brooks |
For the first time, scientists have managed to turn heart attack patients' skin cells into healthy beating heart cells in the lab... [Read More] |
Stem cell therapy hope for heart failure patients after small clinical trial |
15 May 2012 - by Helen Brooks |
Stem cell therapy may benefit patients with chronic heart disease, according to the results of a small clinical trial carried out by US scientists.... [Read More] |
HIV gene therapy is safe and long-lasting, but is it effective? |
8 May 2012 - by Helen Brooks |
HIV patients treated over a decade ago with genetically modified immune cells have suffered no serious side effects from the treatment. Although the cells may not have been successful in targeting and killing HIV-infected cells, the results are promising as they bolster the safety credentials of gene therapy for clinical use... [Read More] |
Heart scar tissue repaired without stem cells |
30 April 2012 - by Helen Brooks |
Scar tissue formed after a heart attack could be repaired without the use of stem cells, according to US scientists... [Read More] |
Big brains and high IQ linked to small gene change |
23 April 2012 - by Helen Brooks |
Two genes that influence brain size, and accordingly intelligence and possibly susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease, have been discovered by scientists... [Read More] |