Gillian Bates facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gillian Bates
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| Born | 19 May 1956 |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater |
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| Known for | Co-discovering cause of Huntington's disease |
| Awards |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Neurogenetics |
| Institutions | |
| Thesis | Molecular approaches towards the fine genetic mapping of human chromosomes : with special reference to the cystic fibrosis gene (1987) |
Gillian Patricia Bates (born May 19, 1956) is a famous British scientist. She is known for her important research into a brain disease called Huntington's disease. In 1998, she won a special award for helping to find out what causes this disease. She is a Professor of Neurogenetics at UCL Institute of Neurology. She also helps lead the UCL Huntington's Disease Centre.
Early Life and Education
Gillian Bates went to Kenilworth Grammar School. She then studied at the University of Sheffield. In 1979, she earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Science (BSc).
She continued her studies at Birkbeck College, London. There, she earned a Master of Science (MSc) degree in 1984. Later, she received her PhD in 1987 from St Mary's Hospital Medical School. Her PhD research focused on mapping genes, including the gene for cystic fibrosis.
Research on Huntington's Disease
Gillian Bates's main research has been about Huntington's disease. This is a serious brain disorder that gets worse over time. She was part of the team that first found the gene causing Huntington's disease. This was a huge step in understanding the illness.
She also created the first special mouse model for the disease. This mouse, called the R6/2 mouse, helped scientists learn more about how Huntington's disease develops. Before joining University College London (UCL) in 2016, she led the Neurogenetics Research Group at King's College London.
Awards and Recognition
Gillian Bates has received many important awards for her work. In 1999, she became a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. She also became a member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation in 2002.
In 2007, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK. She also served on the Royal Society's Council in 2011. In 1998, she shared the Royal Society Glaxo Wellcome Award with Stephen Davies. They received it for discovering the cause of Huntington's disease. In 2024, she was given the Royal Society's Ferrier Medal. This medal recognized her work in understanding Huntington's disease at a molecular level.
