Cellular and molecular neuroscience brings a blend of physiological, pharmacological, biochemical, anatomical and genetic methods to neuroscience research. The ability to manipulate single molecules, genes and proteins helps us to understand how individual neurones and nervous systems function.

Electrophysiology, imaging and molecular biological techniques are central to modern cellular and molecular neuroscience and researchers at Leicester University, spanning different departments and units, have expertise in all of these areas.

One of the key objectives of the MRC Toxicology Unit is to understand how insults to the central nervous systems lead to neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration. Several laboratories within the Departments of Cell Physiology and Pharmacology, Biology and the School of Psychology have interests in the cellular mechanisms that underpin learning and memory and neuronal plasticity in response to fear and anxiety, mechanisms of hearing and pain sensation as well as the cellular mechanisms that give rise to ischaemic injury. The Department of Biology has interests in developmental changes within the nervous system.