Hereditary spastic paraparesis is a genetic condition causing weakness and stiffness of the legs, affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 people. Dr Wilkinson aims to identify new genes and characterise mutations within known genes which cause a particular form of this condition. He will also study the effect of these genes on cell function. This work should help us to understand the mechanisms of nerve cell death in the spinal cord. It should also improve genetic counselling and testing and may lead to new spasticity treatments.