I am a postdoctoral Research Associate at the UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University. My research expertise is focused on the neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative components of various brain conditions with a particular interest in the innate immune system in neuroinflammation and the protection of synapses. My current research assesses how specific Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk genes influence the function of microglia and the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. I have developed specialised polychromatic labelling techniques and high-resolution imaging. I have engaged in productive collaborations with both industrial and academic partners and having established my expertise in this area, I am aiming to secure independent funding to establish my own research group. My ambition is to become a leader in the field of neuroinflammation research.

Research Skills and Techniques 

• Specialised polychromatic labelling neuronal/synaptic labelling 

• Immunofluorescence assays for neuronal and non-neuronal cells in brain tissue (human and mouse)

• High-resolution and high-throughput fluorescent imaging pipelines (Leica/Zeiss)

• Numerous quantitative 3D image analysis assays (IMARIS, FIJI, QuPath).

• Microglial isolation and single-cell sequencing (wet lab, iCell8)

• General molecular techniques (e.g. ELISA). 

• Home Office PIL holder

• Complex management of transgenic mouse models

• Collaboration with industry/academic partners.  

• Project and student management. 

Current Position

Cardiff University, School of Medicine, UK Dementia Research Institute. 

• Position: Research Associate (Oct 2020 – Current)

• Project Title: In vivo functional dissection of the role of microglia and macrophages in Alzheimer's disease.

• Project Supervisor: Prof P. R. Taylor

• Position Overview: I am an active member of the Taylor UKDRI research group at Cardiff University. We hypothesise that modulation of microglia by GWAS AD risk genes has a central role in the development of AD. I have demonstrated, using in vivo animal models that feature global gene knockout, conditional/inducible gene knockout, and expression of gene variants, that GWAS AD risk genes alter core AD pathological hallmarks. This includes modulation of the innate immune system in neuroinflammation and their influence on synapses. I currently lead a study into PLCG2 and the AD protective P522R variant (rs72824905) in APPNL-G-F AD model mice. I have developed, implemented and enhanced specialised polychromatic labelling techniques, high-resolution imaging and image analysis pipelines capable of detecting subtle effects on synaptic integrity in the mouse brain. I am part of the ECR network at the UKDRI at Cardiff and actively collaborate and disseminate my research findings with colleagues both nationally and internationally.    

(chronological order)

1. Reddaway J, Richardson P, BevanRJ, et al. (2023, preprint editing)  Microglial morphometric analysis: so many options, so little consistency. Front. Neuroinform. Volume 17 (Review Paper)

2. Mead B, Bevan RJ, et al. (2023, preprint editing) Retinal Ganglion Cells: Methods and Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology

3. Webberley TS, Bevan RJ, et al. (2023) Assessment of Lab4P Probiotic Effects on Cognition in 3xTg-AD Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice and the SH-SY5Y Neuronal Cell Line. Int J Mol Sci 24(5):4683

4. Carpanini SM, Torvell M, Bevan RJ, et al. (2022) Terminal complement pathway activation drives synaptic loss in Alzheimer's disease models. Acta Neuropathol Commun 10(1):99. 

5. Webberley, T.S., Masetti, G., Bevan, RJ., et al. (2022) The impact of probiotic supplementation on cognitive, pathological and metabolic markers in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 16:843105

6. Cooze, B.J., Dickerson, M., Loganathan, R., Watkins, L.M., Grounds, E., Pearson, B.R., et al. (2022) The association between neurodegeneration and local complement activation in the thalamus to progressive multiple sclerosis outcome. Brain Pathology. 32(5):e13054

7. Bevan, R.J. PhD Thesis (2020): Neuronal dendropathy in CNS degeneration: A new marker for protection and recovery. 

8. Bevan, R.J., Hughes, T.R., Williams, P.A., Good, M.A., Morgan, B.P., and Morgan, J.E. (2020) Retinal ganglion cell degeneration correlates with hippocampal spine loss in experimental Alzheimer’s disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 8: 1–13.

9. Bevan, R.J., et al (2020) Opa1 deficiency accelerates hippocampal synaptic remodelling and age-related deficits in learning and memory. Brain Comms. 2(2):fcaa101

10. Griffiths, L., Reynolds, R., Evans, R., Bevan, R.J., Rees, M.I., Gveric, D., et al. (2020) Substantial subpial cortical demyelination in progressive multiple sclerosis: have we underestimated the extent of cortical pathology? Neuroimmunol Neuroinflammation 7: 51–67.

11. Bevan, R.J., Evans, R., Griffiths, L., Watkins, L.M., Rees, M.I., Magliozzi, R., et al. (2018) Meningeal inflammation and cortical demyelination in acute multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol 84: 829–842.

12. Bryant, A.H., Bevan, R.J., Spencer-Harty, S., Scott, L.M., Jones, R.H., and Thornton, C.A. (2017) Expression and function of NOD-like receptors by human term gestation- associated tissues. Placenta 58: 25–32

13. Loveless, S., Neal, J.W., Howell, O.W., Harding, K.E., Sarkies, P., Evans, R., et al. (2017) Tissue microarray methodology identifies complement pathway activation and dysregulation in progressive multiple sclerosis. Brain Pathol 1–14.