- Dr Johnathan Cooper-Knock, a world-leading neurologist and geneticist at the University of Sheffield’s Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), has been appointed to the first Rob Burrow Professorship in Translational Neurobiology named after the late rugby league legend Rob Burrow CBE
- Funded by the MND Association in honour of its late patron, the award will help Dr Cooper-Knock accelerate his research hunting for genes underpinning motor neuron disease (MND), opening up new pathways toward promising treatments
- Rob Burrow’s parents Geoff and Irene Burrow were among the first to congratulate Dr Cooper-Knock while visiting SITraN’s world-class MND research facilities and were given an insight into his exciting research
A world-leading neurologist and geneticist at the University of Sheffield has been appointed to the first Rob Burrow Professorship in Translational Neurobiology named after the late rugby league legend Rob Burrow CBE.
Dr Johnathan Cooper-Knock, based at the University’s internationally renowned Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), has been awarded the prestigious role, funded by the MND Association in honour of its late patron. The award will help Dr Cooper-Knock accelerate his research hunting for genes underpinning motor neuron disease (MND), helping to open new pathways toward promising treatments.
Rob Burrow’s parents Geoff and Irene Burrow were among the first to congratulate Dr Cooper-Knock while visiting SITraN’s world-class MND research facilities earlier this month and were given an insight into his exciting research.
SITraN is one of the world’s leading research hubs for neurodegenerative disease, bringing together clinicians, geneticists, neuroscientists, and trial experts, all under one roof. Through this appointment, the University of Sheffield further cements its global standing in translating breakthrough science into patient impact.
On being awarded this prestigious Professorship, Dr Cooper-Knock, who is also a NIHR Clinical Lecturer, said: “This Professorship is occurring at a truly exciting moment in the fight against MND with lots of new treatments in the pipeline. However, currently there is a gap in our knowledge – for the majority of patients we simply don't know why the disease starts, even though we know genetics plays a part.
“In this Professorship I’m hoping to fill this gap. We're taking a new approach - instead of only looking at the motor neurons - the cells that die - we're studying how they interact with every other cell around them.
“Focusing on the whole picture is our best chance to find the hidden gene faults which can then become new drug targets to slow down or treat MND.
“We have some promising leads from our work already and I really feel we are on the cusp of something exciting. In three years’ time I hope we have at least one treatment in a clinical trial and several more in the pipeline.
“With the incredible support of the MND Association and the Burrow family, I’m confident we are close to delivering real hope.”
MND is a fatal, rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It attacks the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work. It can leave people locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk and eventually breathe. The disease kills six people per day in the UK - just under 2,200 per year – and there is currently no cure.
Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019. A rugby league icon, he became a tireless advocate for MND awareness and the need for greater investment into research. Rob’s courage, public campaigning, and determination to make a difference for other people with MND inspired the nation. He died in June 2024, aged 41.
Rob’s legacy and the amazing fundraising from many, including his best friend Kevin Sinfield CBE, has driven forward MND research, including this Professorship in Rob’s name. This award provides vital funding over an eight year period, which will allow Dr Cooper-Knock to commit more time to research, build his scientific team and extend his investigations into causes and treatments.
Geoff Burrow, Rob’s father said: “Funding for MND research gives us hope that one day there will be an end to MND. Rob worked so hard to fundraise to help find treatments and I am so proud this Professorship, funded by the MND Association, is in his name. It was inspiring to visit SITraN to see the research taking place there and meet Professor Johnathan Cooper-Knock, who is absolutely amazing. Irene and I couldn’t have wished for anyone better.”
The MND Association has a long history of investing in talented MND researchers and is committing £1.5m over eight years towards the fellowship.
Dr Brian Dickie, Chief Scientist at the MND Association, said: “Dr Cooper-Knock is a brilliant example of a clinician who is doing research that could directly benefit the patients he cares for. New treatments that slow down or treat this awful disease will have a huge impact on people with MND and their families in the future.
“We are forever grateful to Rob for helping to make more people aware of how devastating this disease is. This award recognises Rob’s drive to find effective treatments for MND and his determination to accelerate MND research so no one else would have to face the same diagnosis. We hope this work paves the way for a very different outlook for people with MND in years to come.”
Additional information
Accelerating neuroscience research at SITraN
The University of Sheffield has some of the best minds in the world working on research into MND, Parkinson's, stroke, dementia and more neurological conditions.
For more information or to make a donation to support the vital equipment needed to find treatments for these cruel diseases, please visit: https://sheffield.ac.uk/giving/causes/mnd
MND Association
For more information about the research funded by the MND Association, or to support our work, visit www.mndassociation.org.
