University of Sheffield reaches £14m to further groundbreaking neuroscience research

The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) is celebrating this month as the total raised towards its much needed expansion hits £14 million. The appeal, launched in 2021, set out to ensure Sheffield’s pioneering neuroscience research continues to break new ground in our understanding and treatment of conditions such as motor neuron disease, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer's.

Thousands of supporters responded to the University’s appeal to expand research facilities for the Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience (SITraN). Thanks to the kindness and commitment of this community, more than £14 million has been raised towards the development. With construction already underway, it won’t be long before SITraN’s research expands into new areas of understanding and clinical treatment, attracting even more world-leading talent and investment.

The birth of SITraN in 2010 stands as a landmark moment in the global fight against life-limiting neurodegenerative conditions. Born from the visionary leadership of Professor Dame Pamela Shaw and a powerful grassroots fundraising campaign, the institute was established to bridge the “translational gap" between laboratory discovery and clinical treatments. When Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the state-of-the-art facility, it represented more than just a new building, it was the physical manifestation of a promise to patients.

Since then, SITraN has shifted the landscape of neuroscience by fostering a unique, multidisciplinary environment where scientists and clinicians work side-by-side. By integrating cutting-edge genetics, drug discovery, and world-class clinical care, the institute has become a beacon of excellence and innovation for neurodegenerative conditions. 

Its founding ignited a new era of collaborative research. But less than a decade later, an initial team of 64 had grown to more than 300. With expanding expertise comes an expanding team, and SITraN was quickly running out of space. 

The risk of losing momentum was too great. So, alongside colleagues from across the institute and the University’s Faculty of Health, Professor Shaw set out the vision to expand.

Located directly opposite the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, the larger facility will double current capacity whilst providing seamless collaboration with NHS clinical capabilities and research imaging centres. New equipment to expand multiomics capabilities will improve complex biological analysis that identifies biomarkers, disease mechanisms and new treatment targets. A super-computing satellite workstation will enable rapid use of machine-learning applications to analyse large research data-sets. And a state-of-the art microscopy and electrophysiology suite will allow researchers to visualise neuronal injury mechanisms and therapeutic benefits better than ever before.

The kindness of others

The appeal hit its target this month with a poignant anonymous donation of £3 million from a Yorkshire-based family foundation who were instrumental in the founding of the institute back in 2010. 

Thanks to a community wide effort, the expansion has attracted more than 27,000 donations. From esteemed Sheffield alumni such as Mark Crosbie (BA 1981) and his wife Sarah, and Jeffrey Winter (DipArch 1956). To grants from organisations such as the Wolfson Foundation and Garfield Weston Foundation. Dedicated fundraising events, including participants of the University’s Big Walk challenge, collectively raised £433,000. Not forgetting the thousands of people from across the Sheffield community and beyond who have made individual gifts.

It’s no surprise that SITraN’s research is close to the hearts of many. Neurological conditions are the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. In the UK alone, around 28,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year. In 2024, dementia and Alzheimer’s were named the UK’s leading cause of death. And on average, six people lose their lives to motor neuron disease each day in the UK. These conditions, amongst others, have attracted tremendous compassion and support amongst SITraN’s patrons from the beginning. 

Hundreds of patients and their families have built strong bonds with Professor Dame Pam Shaw and the SITraN teams. For those who have lost loved ones, seeing the research progress brings immense comfort. Catherine McGaw-Pratt’s husband, Ian, was diagnosed with MND in 2012. Shortly after his diagnosis Ian, Catherine and a small group of volunteers established the Ian Pratt MND Foundation to raise awareness and funds. 

Pam was Ian’s doctor and although he knew a cure wasn’t going to come in time for him, he was so determined to do everything he could to help accelerate research at SITraN.

When Ian was diagnosed, there felt like there was little chance of finding effective treatments for MND, but the step by step breakthroughs being made at SITraN have brought families like ours hope.

Catherine McGaw-Pratt

Ian Pratt MND Foundation

A hopeful future

Each day on site is a day closer to new advancements in our understanding of neurological diseases and finding new treatments. Landmark successes in recent years include the Phase 1, 2 & 3 clinical trials of the drug tofersen, which showed significant improvements for patients’ with a form of MND linked to a faulty SOD-1 gene; and a gene therapy approach to treating infants with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a potentially fatal form of motor neuron degeneration that usually starts during foetal development.

Recent progress includes the discovery of several new MND drug candidates found to protect cells damaged by the disease, a unique research network improving independence for people with dementia, a medical imaging collaboration funded by the UKRI Medical Research Council, and a University spin-out offering drug screening to biotech and pharma.

These examples show how diverse expertise across a network of interconnected disciplines can produce real results. What the expansion to SITraN will provide is the space and facilities to ensure this powerful culture of collaboration and innovation continues to thrive. 

The new wing is a bold investment in a world-class facility that is already attracting the brightest minds in neurology and neuroscience. With more than 20 ongoing clinical trials, this project represents Sheffield’s strategic ambition to advance its internationally recognised research strengths, whilst ensuring campus facilities are fit for purpose and equipped to meet evolving academic needs. It underscores the University’s ambition to transform ideas into impact — a true embodiment of independent thinking and shared ambition.

For the national and international neuroscience community, all eyes are on Sheffield. For Professor Dame Pam Shaw, there is a personal message for supporters.

Professor Dame Pam Shaw, Professor of Neurology, Director of the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), said:

“Words of thanks could never fully express our immense gratitude for the generosity of the staunch supporters of SITraN. For the SITraN teams, the research is a lifelong passion and our dedication will not falter. But the work is hard and complex, and at times frustrating. It’s the support and kindness of others that gets us through the tough days and spurs us on to make discoveries that will benefit people with neurological conditions. The stories of patients and their families who have benefitted from our work, and the faith that our supporters have in us, inspires us to make greater progress.

“I have no doubt that this new chapter for SITraN will see us make new discoveries with real impactful human benefit. There is great excitement for what the future holds. And when we see success we will let our supporters know, so that everyone who’s been on this journey can share in it with us.”